Key Bible Verse: Those who … keep their promises even when it hurts … such people will stand firm forever (Psalm 15:4, 5). Bonus Reading: Psalm 15:1-5

When our younger son, Bryndan, played Little League baseball, he was on the Atlanta team one summer that played in the Little League World Series. At season's end, the team invited him to play with them the next summer. When Bryndan heard about it, he was really excited. (So were Karen and I.) But there was a hitch: Long before the LLWS team opportunity came up, Bryndan had given the coach of his neighborhood team his word (and so had I) that he would be playing with his team that summer.

This was a dilemma; if Bryndan played on the LLWS team, the skill level, exposure, and number of games would really contribute to his development. Yet, as we thought and prayed about it, I concluded that Bryndan's word meant more than taking advantage of a great opportunity.

"Son," I told him, "I'm not going to let you do that. We promised our neighborhood coach that you'd be on his team this year. This is a test. It's important that you grow up to be an honorable man who won't walk away from what you say you'll do. If God wants you to play baseball on a team like the other one, He'll give you that opportunity without sacrificing your integrity."

—Crawford Loritts Jr. in Never Walk Away

My Response: A time when sticking to my word really cost me was …

Thought to Apply: One thing you can give and still keep is your word.—SOURCE UNKOWN

Adapted from Never Walk Away (Moody, 1997) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

May the choices I make, Lord, honor You, showcasing Your transforming power at work in my life.

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