Search For An Honest Man
I love this story which reportedly came from Sports Illustrated (I do
not know which issue):
The game was played in Wellington, Florida. In it, a seven-year-old
first baseman, Tanner Munsey, fielded a ground ball and tried to tag a
runner going from first to second base.
The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out, but young Tanner
immediately ran to her side and said, "Ma'am, I didn't tag the
runner." Umpire Benson reversed herself, sent the runner to second
base, and Tanner's coach gave him the game ball for his honesty.
Two weeks later, Laura Benson was again the umpire and Tanner was
playing shortstop when a similar play occurred. This time Benson
ruled that Tanner had missed the tag on a runner going to third base,
and she called the runner safe. Tanner looked at Benson and without
saying a word, tossed the ball to the catcher and returned to his
position.
Benson sensed something was wrong. "Did you tag the runner?" She
asked Tanner.
His reply: "Yes."
Benson then called the runner out. The opposing coaches protested
until she explained what had happened two weeks earlier. "If a kid is
that honest," she said, "I have to give it to him."
It may be that no Christian characteristic has suffered more in our
society than honesty. It's lacking in the workplace, it's lacking in
many of our marriages, it's lacking in our government, and sometimes
it's even lacking in our churches. Like Diogenes of ancient Greece,
we sometimes feel the urge to take our lantern and begin our search
for an honest man.
There is something about Christians that should stand out like a neon
sign on a dark night. Jesus wants his people to be known as a people
of truth. We should establish a reputation, like Tanner, for speaking
the truth even when it would benefit us to do otherwise. Then, and
only then, will those around us trust what we say without hesitation,
without wondering whether we really mean what we say or not.
"Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his
neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25).
May God help you to be that person of truth that Diogenes was looking
for (and God still is, too).
[ Author unknown -- Alan Smith, Boone Church of Christ, Boone, NC (www.TFTD-online.comby) ]
Inspirational Messages
SkyWriting.Net
All Rights Reserved.
|