The large can of tomato soup had been pushed to the back of the cupboard shelf for the last time. It was the end of the week, and there were no other groceries left in the house that would make a quick lunch for Joseph before he ran back to school.
Even though Joseph loved food, somewhere in his six years of life he had firmly decided that he did not like tomatoes! However, today there was no choice. Joseph’s mother opened the can, heated the soup, but not too hot, and poured it into a soup bowl. Joseph watched with keen interest.
“What is that?” Joseph asked, as he got a whiff of the good smell.
Joseph’s mother had hoped that he would not ask any questions. There was no extra time today to discuss what he did and did not like for lunch. But suddenly she realized that she had to make a quick decision. If she told him the truth, that it was tomato soup . . . but, of course, all mothers must tell their children the truth, so the decision was easily made.
“It’s tomato soup,” she said softly, trying to be casual about it.
“TORNADO SOUP!” Joseph exclaimed. He misunderstood what his mother had said, and excitedly swooped his spoon into this new lunch food. His mother had barely realized what had happened when she saw that the soup was already gone!
Then Joseph’s mother had another decision to make. This time it was easier.
“That was tomato soup, Joseph,” she said calmly.
“I don’t care what it was!” Joseph exclaimed. “I love it!”
You know, it is not always easy to tell the truth, but it is always wise. Even when we do not have good results as quickly as in this story, God always blesses the truth, because He is Truth, and telling the truth always pleases God. Lies, however, do just the opposite. God’s Word of Truth, the Bible, warns us in John 8:4444Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44) that the devil is a liar and the father of lies. This means that when we lie we put ourselves on the devil’s side, and he is not a good father. He knows telling one lie calls for telling another to cover up the first one. Besides training us in a very bad habit, telling lies is sin and hardens our consciences so that all too soon we begin to think a lie is not really so bad.
Have you told even a small lie to your parents or teacher or friend? It is very hard to confess that we told a lie, but when we do, it clears our conscience, makes us happy, and opens the door to God’s mercy. God says, “He that covereth [hides] his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13).
Along with this story are prayers that you will be helped to always tell the truth. The Lord Jesus and His holy angels and your parents will all rejoice for this great victory in your life.
ML-03/27/1994