Integrity

Integrity

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them.

Proverbs 20:7

I love to walk. While I’m out walking, I often observe some interesting things. One day I came face-to-face with a fox. Since I froze, I was thankful that the fox ran off. Another day I encountered a family of ducks that included five new ducklings.

Recently I walked by a church whose parking lot signs gave conflicting messages. As I entered the driveway, a street sign read ONE WAY ONLY. But as I looked down at the pavement under my feet, I saw two distinct lanes, one with an arrow pointing toward me and one with an arrow pointing away. I tried to figure out what the signs meant, but I couldn’t. I will leave that for brighter minds than mine.

I left the church wondering how many other people had been confused. I also wondered how many times my life has sent mixed messages to my children. I teach them that God wants us to show love to one another, but I criticize another person. I encourage my children to be patient with a friend, but I get impatient with my kids.

I’m grateful for God’s truth, which makes the path of integrity clear. I’m also grateful for God’s grace, which offers me forgiveness and redirection when I get off on the wrong path. I don’t want my children to be perplexed by conflicting signs in my life. I want to walk clearly on the path of integrity.

Father,

We want to be moms of integrity. Please help us not to send mixed signals to our children. In Jesus’ name, amen.