Honesty

The meaning of honesty seems to have changed. An elemennts of grace once existed that help separate honesty from permission to insult.

Now honesty for some people means saying whatever in their minds regardless of whom it may hurt. These people preface their comments with " I hope you won't get mad at me." "Please don't think I'm being critical," " Don't mind if I'm honest," "I'll be candid with you," and then they insult you.

Honesty requires more thought than an insult. Most of us think faster than we can talk, so many ideas that flash in our minds never reach our tongues, Thank goodness!

People are able to act their best when they feel valued. Honesty in the form of insultor cricism wear downs confidence. If honesty means insensitive. Check your motivations. An honest insult may not be as honest as you think.

Other's Expectations

It is wonderful thing to live in a context of friends who provide us with stimulus,encouragement and challenge. This is the heart of community, for in such a context we can serve and be served and grow in our giftedness and responsiblity.

But there is a possible downside on this scenario. Within the context of friends, we can also feel the pressure of their expectations. There is nothing wrong with our friends knowing our strong points. And equally there is nothing wrong with our serving in ways that are consistent with our recognized abilities. But there is something wrong by being put in a box and with not being able to acknowledge that we are developing different priorities or concerns or to admit that our resources have run dry.

Within the community of friends we need to guard the gift of individual freedom so that we can all continue to grow beyond the expectation of others.