OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

They just speak the truth!

The funny thing about small children is that they have no guile. They only know to speak what they see and hear, and never consider any consequence of saying the truth. It is easy to teach a small child not to lie, that lying is bad, but how do you teach them that sometimes the truth is not appropriate? Now we are getting in the gray areas, on a very thin layer of ice.

Some comments are innocent observations, like the time one of my nieces commented to her mother about a car hop, “look mommy she’s a piggy bank!” Which wouldn’t have been suspect  at all if the car hop wearing the coin dispenser hadn’t been over weight. Or the time my eldest son saw his first person of color and his comment was, “mommy, look at that golden man!” Again in his youth, the comment was innocent, but if heard by the man, I am not sure of what the reception would have been. After much coaxing I recently talked my husband into going swimming at the neighbor’s house. He finally agreed and I went in search of his swim trunks, but could only find two very old ones. I must’ve left his new one in Hawaii in the clothes dryer, so he would have to choose one of the less desirable suits. He was more than a little distressed to see what I had laid out on the bed for him to wear, but wanting to make me happy he chose the lesser of the evils and donned his old trunks for an afternoon at the neighbors. Being self-conscious about being un-tanned, (not much sunlight gets into the cab of the semi), he slipped off his jeans to enter the water. Our young grandson who was enjoying playing in the pool asked grandpa, “Why do you have grandma’s shorts on?” My husband laughed good-naturedly and slipped into the water. This felony was only compounded when he took off to swim and the swim trunks slipped precariously down on his hips, halting him in mid stroke to maintain his dignity. Needless to say he did not get much swimming in that day, but enjoyed lounging in the water moving as little as possible. I went the next day and bought two new pairs of swim trunks, trying to redeem myself for what I put my husband through.

The old adage of;” the truth will set you free,” nearly did that with my husband and his swim trunks. My grandson’s comment to my husband was a blessing in disguise because we got rid of the offensive swim trunks and got some that were more appropriate. He did not make this comment to hurt his grandfather, it was just said in idle curiosity. But there is one thing we always need to be cognizant of, and that is children will repeat what they here at home. If you were to make unkind comments or derogatory remarks about people, don’t be surprised if your children repeat them to others. Of course your anger is aimed at your child, when in fact it should be laid at your own door for making the comments in the first place. My mom and dad always used to say if you have nothing kind to say; say nothing at all. Boy that would be a novel idea in today’s political arena!

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32, is not an old adage, but a promise made in the Bible by Jesus. The truth he is referring to is the way to eternal life; “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 to know and understand the truth one must accept Jesus Christ as the final sacrifice for the redemption of sin. It is the only way to be set free from eternal damnation.

As parents it is with great consternation that we teach our children about the importance of truth. Not just in idle comments, but the truth about salvation, and the only way to achieve it. Reading the Bible together will help derive the truth in all aspects of life. It is no mistake that God made children without guile, and in their innocence always tell the truth.

We as authors, make a living using guile and half-truths in almost all of our works. Let’s face it, most people never want to hear the truth, about themselves, about sin, or about eternal damnation. Let’s bring the truth out into the light.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 1:4 

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Psalm 34:13 

 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Matthew 11:25

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Matthew 21:16

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6

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