“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

I told a lie today. I was at a coffee shop inside of a grocery store. The woman working was older and moving a little slowly, but she was really nice and let me know it was going to be a minute because she was putting together a big order. I wasn’t in a hurry so I let her know she could take her time and I waited patiently. Another employee of the store came over extremely upset, “Has she even taken your order?!?! We’ve been having complaints about her!” I was shocked and stammered, “Ye-ye- yes she has.”  I do not know why I lied to her. I do not know if I felt some loyalty to the older woman. I do not know if I felt I had to protect her. I would like to think that is the case, but what does that say about me? Am I so co-dependent I have to protect a complete stranger? I got caught in the very lie I just told. The elderly woman asked me what I would like less than 30 seconds after and I know the angry woman heard her. She stomped off in a huff. I told a self-deprecating joke to lighten the mood and the elderly woman seemed to enjoy that.

I thought about the experience for my whole car ride and then again as I write this post. When is it ok to lie? I was protecting the woman so, I should be a hero right? Wrong, every conclusion I came up with is the truth is the only thing I should speak. The lie is only going to harm the elderly woman in the long run. Maybe she needs to move on and get a new job. Maybe she needs a scolding from her boss to learn how to move faster. Maybe a hundred other things that I do not know the answer to and I cannot see the future but little white lies are wrong.

My challenge for the week is to catch myself whenever I tell a little white lie and speak the truth.

Affirmation: My truth is valuable to those around me. I know my truth and it is the best version of my story.

Call to action: Think about a time when you lied and why. Tell somebody about it. Set yourself free. If you catch any dishonesty crop up this week share it with us and find your truth.