For the next month, we are going to have some GIVE-AWAYS! Do you have questions about the singles life? Relationships? The Bible? Purity? Life issues? Post your questions to the blog and every week for the next four weeks, we’ll draw names and the lucky winner that week will receive either a copy of “Single Servings: 90 Devotions to Feed your Soul,” or “The Perfect Fit: Piecing Together True Love”! But don’t forget to check back and see if you’re the winner! Each Thursday, we’ll post winners and tell you how to claim your prize!
Honesty in Dating
Is honesty in the little things that important? Early on in my dating relationship with my husband, Steve, we were staying (separate bedrooms!) in the home of some of his friends for the weekend. After finishing breakfast the first morning with our hosts, Steve and I took turns brushing our teeth.
Suddenly, Steve hastily emerged from the bathroom, toothbrush hanging out of the side of his mouth. “Did you use my toothpaste?” The accusing question hung between us as if he had just discovered I borrowed his underwear or something.
I had just used his toothpaste because I thought it was no big deal. Besides, I was too lazy to go fish mine out of my suitcase. But the way he burst out of the bathroom made me wonder if he had a thing about his toothpaste. It was an awkward moment with all eyes in a room of strangers centered on me.
“Nnno, why would I use your toothpaste?”
Luckily he let the conversation drop and went back into the bathroom to finish brushing his teeth. Me? I covered up the little prick in my conscience with a rationalization: It’s just a little lie—what difference will it make tomorrow if I lie about using toothpaste? No one will ever know…
Later, when I had time to process the event, God began to speak with me about honesty in the “little things” and this destructive pattern in my life. When it came to people confronting me about my actions in ways I thought might bring about unpleasant consequences, I avoided taking responsibility. I had become afraid to tell the truth at times—afraid of being punished or rejected by people.
Even when it comes to something as seemingly insignificant as toothpaste, God wants an honest heart. Little lies easily turn into bigger lies—which eventually catch up with a person, killing trust in relationships and halting spiritual growth. God used my dishonesty in this silly situation to remind me that He was working to prepare me to be the right kind of wife for the godly kind of husband He wanted to give me someday. That meant no lying, no hiding the truth, no trying to get myself out of responsibility for my actions. This kind of behavior left unchecked would jeopardize an intimate marriage relationship.
It was time to fess up. I picked up the phone and called Steve at work. “I did use your toothpaste and I lied about it. I’m sorry.”
“Aha! I knew it!” he declared smugly, maybe even a bit gleefully.
God used Steve that day to teach me a valuable lesson—to prepare me to be a completely honest wife. These days, I don’t have to ask to use his toothpaste. He lets me use it anytime I want. Luckily, I’ve never had to admit to wearing his underwear yet—he hasn’t asked!