TRUST

I've decided to begin doing character quality traits, beginning with the word TRUST.  One of my favorite quotes is this: "If you have to sneak to do it, lie to cover it up, or delete it to avoid it being seen, then you probably shouldn't be doing it."  As soon as I get my Christmas decorations down and bring my chalkboard back to the kitchen, this quote is going up on the wall in the kitchen. It will be a reminder to our family of just how important it is for people to be able to trust them.

Trust doesn't always have to take years to build, because some people we just feel like we can immediately trust.  But, sometimes we can be fooled, can't we.  And sometimes we can fool others.   Being a person of integrity, a person who is striving to be like Christ, will make us strive to be a person who can be trusted.  We won't sneak around trying to get by with something.  We won't lie. We won't cover things up to avoid being caught.  We won't have to bother with deleting things off of our phones or computers because we risk being caught or found out.  We don't mind sharing passwords or emails.  Trust is of utmost importance in a family.  And like the quote on the top picture says, it can take seconds for it to be broken.

On the other hand, we are all human.  At one time or another, we will disappoint each other - even if families.  Only God is completely and always trustworthy.  He will never fail.  He will always do what He says He will do.  So, ultimately, our trust should be in Him, and not in human beings.  But in our relationships with those closest to us, we do expect and should expect to be able to trust.

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28:6

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Trust really is the foundation that holds all relationships together.  It's what holds families together.  Many lives have been shattered when the choice was made by one person to be untrustworthy.  It happens every single day, many times a day.

Ask yourselves these questions:  Am I trustworthy?  Is there anything I could do to be more trustworthy? Would my family say I am trustworthy?  How about my friends?  What can I change in my life to be more trustworthy?

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Psalm 119:1-5

Trustworthiness

This summer, I've given our children a challenge.  I've asked them to list character traits and then asked them to write a short devotional thought about a few of them.  Their devotional thought will become my post once a week. 

This week the word is "Trustworthiness", and the post today is by our second oldest child, Zachary.  He is 13...almost 14 (thought I'd better put that!).

TRUSTWORTHINESS by Zachary

Out of all of the character traits that there are, to me the best one is to be a trustworthy person.  Trustworthiness means deserving of trust or reliable.  Proverbs 11:13 says that a trustworthy man keeps a secret.  He doesn't go and tell a secret that has been told to him by a friend.

In the parable of the ten minas (a weight of money) in Luke 19:11-26, it says in verse 17, "Because you have been trustworthy in one very small matter, take charge of ten cities." You see, that one very small matter put the man in charge of ten cities - only because he chose to be a trustworthy and reliable person.

“What’s right is right even if no one is doing it.
What’s wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.”

- Unknown author

I am grateful for the character trait of "Trustworthiness".  Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers.