The Painful Truth

The Painful Truth

Honest words can be painful.

Job 6:25

Children are the most honest people I know. If you want a completely honest answer, ask children, and they will tell you “the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

But sometimes children can be too honest, leaving the recipient of their honesty blushing with embarrassment. My three-year-old daughter, Holly, was no exception to the rule. She spoke whatever she was thinking, and it was not always pretty.

When I became pregnant with my second child, a boy named Christian, Holly was not short of questions about her soon-to-be baby brother or about my protruding belly. It was getting bigger and bigger, and of course, Holly took notice.

When I was six or seven months pregnant, I was taking a walk with my mother and little Holly. My mother and I were discussing my pregnancy, and I reminded Holly about the baby growing inside me. She looked at my belly to observe the size and then turned to look at Grandma’s belly, which is somewhat protruding as well, although for a totally different reason. Then, without missing a beat, she asked, “Is Grandma having a baby too?”

My mother and I chuckled as we were reminded of both the honesty and the innocence of children.

The truth can at times be painful to both the speaker and the hearer, but it is what it is—the truth! And although telling the truth to someone is often necessary and the right thing to do, we must deliver that message with love and kindness. Otherwise, the truth may be lost in the telling.

—Naomi Cassata

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us the value of honesty through the example of little children. Help us to be honest in our speech, even though at times it can be painful to the hearer. And always help us temper our language with love. In Jesus’ name, amen.