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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Revd Carolyn Skinner, CEO of Third Space Ministries

Good morning

Children have a way of speaking the truth without a filter, like the child who wrote a thank you card to their teacher saying ‘you’re a good teacher but not my most favourite’! Or the way they don’t mind telling you that you are ancient if you are over 30!

We may be able to laugh at comments from children but as we grow up we discover that the way we share truth is so important.

Truth can be encouraging and affirming but also challenging, and uncomfortable at times, yet absolutely vital for healthy relationships. We see all around us the damage that comes when truth is avoided. When those that we seek to trust are not completely truthful with us then it dismantles our respect for them. There is often a domino effect to dishonesty which leads to greater pain the longer it continues.

The Bible encourages us in Ephesians 4 to ‘speak the truth in love.’ Recognising that truth can be challenging at times, it needs to be handled carefully. It must come with grace, empathy and compassion not judgement and condescension. We should always be seeking to build people up not tear them down.

I wonder what a difference this would make in relationships at every level of life if we could truly live out speaking the truth in love.

Father God, thank you for the power of truth. May we model truth telling to nurture healthy relationships. Help us in difficult situations to speak truth but to do so with grace and love. Amen