Our sweet little Texas daughter was engaged to a fine young man from British Columbia (which is in Canada for those of you who slept through geography).   

It would be a merging of families and cultures.  She was “fixin” to get married and he said in, “a bit.” 

His family arrived in our little Texas town for the wedding just a couple of days before.  We had not yet met them, but we knew they were fascinated with the aura of Texas (and who isn’t?)  So, I decided they should get a rootin’ tootin’ redneck reception. 

I borrowed me some well-worn cowboys boots and slipped on some jeans helt up with a belt and big old buckle.  I snapped up a pearl buttoned, cowboy-cut shirt and dropped a round tin of Skoal in the pocket.  I finished off my western ensemble with an audacious cowboy hat. 

We then went to meet our new family.  My daughter and her beau were with them already and very excited about this first meeting.  I rapped on the front door and it was opened by her future mother-in-law. 

I conjured up a Texas drawl and said, “Well howdy Maam!”  She was speechless – but my daughter wasn’t.  She heard the knock at the door and came running down the stairs to see – took one look at me and screamed the loudest longest screech ever, “Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!”

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Sometimes it’s fun to pretend and actually, I’m pretty good at it.

Not only can I do a redneck, I can also create the impression that I have everything under control when in fact I am paralyzed with fear.  My lips have learned the art of saying yes to every request while the rest of me cringes.  Some pretend to care by asking me, “How are you doing?”  I pretend right back and say “fine.”

I am thinking that Paul may have written Ephesians 4:25 for me.  He said, “Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor because we are members of one another.”  NET Bible ®

He said to lay aside “falsehood.“  The word is translated from the Greek word, “psuedos.”  Yep that is where we get the English prefix “pseudo.”   He is talking about fakes.  It refers to deceit whether it be through what we say or portray.

Paul says this “psuedos” needs to be laid aside.  In other words, stop pretending.  Drop the mask (unless it is an N95 and you are Covid positive.)

Instead, Paul tells us to accurately reflect in words what is true because we are all members of one another – we belong to each other.

Why do I pretend that everything is under control?  Why can’t I tell the boss I could use a little help?   Is it my pride – the stuff that goeth before a fall? 

Why do I feel the need to say yes to every ask?  Do I not have my limits?  The pastor asked me to teach a class on marriage.  What if I were to be honest and showed him my crowded calendar.  I bet he’d send me home to work on my marriage.

Why must I reply “fine” to everyone who asks about my welfare?  A friend may be genuinely interested in how I am doing.  If he got a truthful answer, he might take a knee and pray right then. That would be nice!

Jesus once said that the truth will set us free.  He was speaking of freedom from sin and its consequences, but beyond that, there is true liberation and a sense of rest that comes from living genuinely and speaking truthfully. 

Yes, I need to consider the timing and the spirit in which I engage – but generally speaking: “Honesty really is the best policy.”

I have retired my western duds.   My Canadian family knows I am about as cowboy as bacon without the sizzle.   Now it’s time to remove the pretense from the rest of my life.  Will you join me? 

A PRAYER: Lord let me enjoy the freedom that is created by living in and speaking forth the truth.