The Truth Always Comes Out, Part 2

This is probably worse than my texting fiasco of 2019. (Read about that in Part 1 here.) Apparently I needed to learn my lesson again. Or I guess I didn’t learn it the first time.

…Ladies and gentlemen, Part 2:

I pride myself on being a truth-teller. It’s a core facet of my identity, something I am so passionate about, because the truth is what sets you free.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:32 NIV

This week, it was not fun to be a truth-teller. I had to own up to an embarrassing mistake and take responsibility for the truth when I didn’t want to.

Here’s the truth: I am a snoop. Yes, I am. My journalism degree was money well-spent. Whether people know it or not, I am the friend who knows where everybody lives, when their birthdays are, and probably who they voted for. I know about their speeding tickets and I know how to look up their marriage licenses. I know their middle names and their maiden names. Your girl is “resourceful.”

Here’s the story: I got a card in the mail from my cousin. Being the totally not-normal person that I am, my first move was to Google her address. I’ve never been to her house and I’d never even heard of her town. I clicked on the Zillow listing. Oh, wow, she lives in a five-bedroom house! My mom will want to see this. I called to my mom in the other room as I texted, telling her I’d send the link, and the moment I hit SEND, I knew.

One of my worst fears had just come true.

I had sent it to the person I was talking about. Not the person I intended to share it with.

Noooooooo!!

I had about three seconds to decide if I was going to be a person of integrity or not. Was the truth-teller really going to tell the truth?

I was tempted to lie. Oh, yes, I was. What kind of ridiculous fabricated explanation could I come up with?

But no. That’s wrong. I’m a truth-teller. Besides, she’s obviously going to know I didn’t text her her own Zillow listing on purpose!

I ate crow and sent my cousin an immediate follow-up text: LOL! I just looked up your address when I saw your thank you and accidentally sent it straight to you! 😂😂 Looks nice!

Although I have no trouble poking fun at myself, I was mortified. She was gracious.

And I was lucky. One of the first thoughts that came to mind was, I’m so glad this didn’t happen when I was sending [Another person’s] address!

Yikes.

I had literally been afraid of this happening, but it never had. Until now.

The truth always comes out, folks. If you’re a snoop, people will find out you’re a snoop. If you purport to be a truth-teller, circumstances will reveal if you really mean it. If you make a habit of sending other people’s information, it will probably come back to bite you. Don’t do in private what you don’t want people finding out about in public.

Another lesson was also learned – not as important as the first, but still helpful: Don’t text and talk.

Can I get an amen?

Well, that was my week. How was yours? 😉

May the lessons I’ve unfortunately learned motivate you to avoid your own. 😊

The truth always comes out. Live accordingly.