Candidness

“What do you think of _________?”  The question caught my attention.  The dialogue that unfolded challenged my core values.  Are family and friends more important than the truth?  Do I have an obligation to someone over another, no matter how difficult or easy the conversation might be?  Where are the boundaries between telling the truth and painting a pretty, happy, and conflict free picture?
Sadly, life is full of conflicts, conundrums, and difficult questions.  Every life story has its share of pain, uncertainty, and legitimate fears.  Individuals of all cultures, situations, and positions long for the similar feelings of acceptance within a family and community, forgiveness when they make mistakes, and support in times of need.  As the world we live in matures, families often find themselves struggling to maintain their identities.  Brothers and sisters, cousins, uncles, and aunts drift apart.  We live in a world increasingly divided.
I find that truth is the something that brings us closer.  It is not always pretty.  In one truth filled conversation, the facts unfolded in an ugly way.  “As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm.  There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts.  Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow.”  (Acts 1.18, 19)  Yet the story brought everyone closer to each other and to God.
I found myself answering the question in truth filled loved.  It was with sadness that I gave the warnings.  It was with compassion that I talked of the situation.  It was in love that I participated as a member of God's family.
Being a part of a family comes with an obligation to give and take truth filled candidness with an open mind and heart.  With truth we can grow.  With truth we can support each other.  The blues may not be the favorite genre of music for everyone; yet in a large part they are mine because of the foundation of truth.  Today is a time to work, play, and live as family.