Week 5 | Day 5 | ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’

Command:

Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made. Matthew 5:33 (NIV)

Read:

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37

Reflect:

Life is a cascade of promises. From the small to the substantial, our words form the foundation of trust. In the bustling heart of parenthood, promises turn pivotal; they're not mere words but lifelines of trust, respect, and love.

I remember a younger version of myself – carefree and perhaps, too casual with my words. “I’ll be there,” I'd say without a second thought, sometimes only to disappoint. It took a friend's raw honesty to open my eyes to the weight of my promises, or the lack thereof.

Now, as I look at my teenage boys, I feel the weight and worth of every promise I make. My journey from those flakey days to now is not just a path of self-realization but one of responsibility. As I lead by example, I am mindful that I'm not only building the bedrock of our family trust but also laying the foundation of the men they're becoming.

The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:33-37 are profound yet simple. Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ In a world muddled with ambiguities and half-truths, the clarity of our intent stands out. Jesus emphasizes not on making lofty oaths but on the purity of our word.

For every parent, especially a mother, these words resonate deeply. We are the first examples of integrity our children see. Our promises, whether about taking out the dogs or showing up for their milestones, become the benchmark of reliability and trustworthiness.

React:

So, let us be vigilant with our promises. Let them not be mere words, but testaments of our character. In molding our integrity, we shape the character of the future generation. And as we hold onto our words, let's remember - integrity truly starts at home.

Pray:

Dear Lord, guide us to be guardians of our promises. Let our words reflect our character, and let our actions amplify the sincerity of our intentions. In a world of uncertainty, make us beacons of trust and integrity for our children and all around us. Amen.