How Honest Are You?

It is amazing to think that this blog has started out of pure frustration! One of the many benefits of being married is knowing that you have a guaranteed audience of at least one! No matter how poor or wonderful the day may have been, an ear will be there to listen. Hopefully the matters of our household will reach you and make a difference.

Tonight's topic is interesting, frustrating and real all at once. It is honesty in its truest form. How much of our life is a fantasy? To what degree do we really live in reality?

I have worked in education for 7 years. Every year has brought many challenges, which I love! I see challenges the same way a track star views running - they both provide a sense of adrenaline that drives growth. I feel like I have been gifted in the area of teaching, but I also realize that there are several things for me to learn before I arrive at perfection. I hunger for information and collaboration with others. When I hear about instructional practices, I always look at how I can immediately use the information. But, today I started to wonder...Is this common?

My husband is currently pursuing a degree in Christian Ministries. Often times the professor will ask questions that require deep thought and reflection. Evan, who is very similar to me, seriously evaluates the question and posts his answer to the discussion board. The result? An answer that is almost opposite to EVERYONE ELSE in the class. Real reflection brings about honesty. But, today he started to wonder...Is this common?

How common is honesty? What is honesty? Is it just as easy being honest on the surface (telling where you live, what you drive, what you are going to do over the weekend, etc.) as it is being honest with ourselves (admitting to our real abilities, faults, weaknesses, successes, etc.)?

John Ortberg writes in The Life You've Always Wanted:

"A little boy went to Sunday school, where he knew the sort of answers you're supposed to give to questions. The teacher asked, 'What is brown, furry, has a long tail, and stores up nuts for winter?'
'Well,' the boy muttered, 'I guess the answer is Jesus, but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.'"

Is that you? Are you looking to give the answer that sounds good, or do you really take the time to be honest with yourself and search for the real answer?