Speak the truth in grace.

Truth: “conformity with fact or reality; a verified or indisputable fact; the state or character of being true.” (Dictionary.com) Synonyms: authenticity, genuineness, integrity, candor, frankness, openness, fidelity, revelation. (Thesaurus.com)

Grace: “elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action; kindness, esteem.” (Dictionary.com) Synonyms: compassion, tenderness, forbearance, pardon. (Thesaurus.com)

When I consider the goal and the words, for me it means that I must speak to the character of truth (fact/reality) with elegance or with compassion and with pardon. I mean, this is not easy. I’m not one who likes conflict, in fact, I bury it until it comes bursting out of nowhere. I avoid it like mosquitos at dawn and dusk. But I also have it written on a card next to my computer because it is something I need to do.

I let truth pile up around me until the weight on my mind, soul, and body is too much to carry. And I tell myself, “Now, today. You need to say this.” And then I don’t. I pray a lot and I believe in prayer, but I also know that God expects me to do my part to answer those prayers. And I don’t know about you, but I talk to no one about these truths that, like Marley, manifest on me as heavy chains.

I look to the words on the stiff card. I tell myself: “Soon, you’ll speak the words soon.”