An honest answer

"An honest answer is the sign of true friendship." Proverbs 24:26

How often do we give an honest answer? I mean a really honest answer shared in a "true friendship" kind of way? We share lots of "honesty" when we are frustrated or angry. Come on, you know that we do. We have "discussions" that involve lots of blaming and finger pointing that don't result in anything other than hurt. But we were just being honest. Really?!?

Or how about this:
"Hi, how are you?"
"Fine" (when really, things are anything but "fine")

Why can't we just honestly say "well, things are kind of hard right now. I'm trying to deal with...(fill in the blank: a health issue, frustration at work, at home, with kids, loss of a job, a struggling marriage, financial issues, etc.) and I really don't know how to handle it."

Or on a lighter note, how do these questions usually get answered?

"How do I look?"
"Do you like my...(hair, outfit, new item of any kind...)?"
"Is there anything I can do to help you?" (thinking of a time when you have company and this is offered, or...how often is this question asked with the honest desire to help?)

and I'm sure there are many other examples like this that I am just not thinking of right now.


As I have been thinking about this verse today, I am so thankful that I have some true friends! I might not always like the honest answer, but isn't an honest answer, given in the spirit of true friendship infinitely better than a lie of any kind?!? Even a lie intended to be "kind"?

Can I ask you all something? Would you please be my friend? (and I don't mean in a "Facebook" kind of way) Will you please give me honest answers? Will you please be true friends to others around you as well? Will you please give honest answers to them as well?

I long ago promised myself that if I ever saw someone with something embarrassing (food in their teeth, something in their hair, clothing inside out, tag left on clothes, toilet paper dragging behind them...I think you get the idea), that I would let them know. Why? Because I hope that someone would do the same for me. See? We can be true friends to people we don't even know, at least for that moment!

I am resolving to be an even better "true friend" to the people around me: my husband, kids, family, friends...

I want them to surely know they can trust the words I share with them.

Don't you want people to know that too?

"An honest answer is the sign of true friendship." Proverbs 24:26