Be a person of integrity. Be a person with honorable character. That’s been the theme
of my week as my son had multiple situations that would rock most kids and even adults to their core. You make unfortunate choices, and you will often suffer unfortunate consequences. There’s a Bible verse in Job that says…
“Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity, and sow trouble, reap the same.”
As a mom, after this week I was feeling sad, disappointed, and maybe even a little angry. I’ve been questioning if I failed to teach the core components of integrity, honor, and character. The definition of integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, moral uprightness. The definition of character is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. In life you have choices every single day. Are you going to hold to your word? I saw a great quote about this… when you say you are going to do something and don’t do it, you teach others (including yourself) that you cannot be trusted. What a true and scary realization that can be! Another amazing quote… People with good intentions make promises. People with good character keep them. Would you consider yourself a person of good character? Is that virtue important to you? Is that something you look for in people you might date or marry? Is that something you want for your own child or children present and/or future?
As I was beginning to dig out of the messes my son created, I had the honor and privilege of speaking to a father who has words of wisdom for his son.
“All men fall down, but all great men get back up!”
“Everyone gets ouchies, but all ouchies heal!”
My frustrated mama heart needed those reminders, and feel that God sent me that dad, at that moment, specifically to remind me that those moments don’t define a person’s character. But it also helped me to think towards the future and what message I wanted to get through to my son. Be a man of integrity, honor, and character. If you give your word or commitment to someone, follow through because even if you never see that person again, you’ll be able to look yourself in the mirror. You reap what you sow. If you sow truth, commitment, and reliability then you will get those things back. Surround yourself with people who share those common virtues. Build your life on those principals. You will have a better job. You will have healthier relationships. And quite honestly, you will be proud when you look yourself in the mirror. Remember, we all fall but we can all get back up! And we all get ouchies, but all ouchies heal.
