TRUTH HURTS

Slow Down

In the early 1970s, I was a police officer in Detroit Michigan and while riding with a partner he remarked that he had heard a “cool” song on the radio called Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin (if you don’t know it, check it out on YouTube music). Eventually, I heard the song and thought it was “cool.”  However, I did not pay much attention to the words because they did not seem to relate to me. But they did but I did not know it. You see, I was divorced, raising my 4-year-old son, and was too busy living the single life that involved dating, partying, and enjoying all the fun single life in the 70s afforded me.  

If you have not heard the song, it is about a man who has a young son who desires to be with his dad but his dad is too busy. Throughout life, the son still wants to be with his dad but his dad is never available. Even so, the son reiterates that he wants to be just like dad. The song’s end tells of the dad getting old, the son grown up, with a wife and a son of his own, and the feelings are reversed. The son is just like his dad was, he has no time for his dad. What a sad but true ending to many dads and sons. Me included, I lived that life for many years and paid the price for being too busy back then.

I heard that song this morning and it reminded me how important it could have been to people like me, I just listened but paid no attention to the significance and importance of the words. Realizing long ago that damage had been done and taking responsibility for my actions did not cure the pain of seeing how TRUTH HURTS. 

However, as Christians, we have a savior who wants us to prosper and gives us insight, wisdom, and a way to avoid such circumstances if we desire to listen and obey.

All of us share the same problems, sins, and actions in our lives that cause(ed) us pain and suffering, even to this day. Broken relations, dishonesty, all types of sin, and lies we lived with, and now realize after all these years, the TRUTH STILL HURTS.

But God knows that, He knows our pain, suffering, and regrets and He promised; 

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Philippians 4:6-7 Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

If you are in the group like me and regret the choice you made in the past take heart. You have a champion, God. In Him I have found forgiveness and a peace that is beyond understanding through His words, miracles, and blessings. Everyone can if they trust, obey, and let God be God. We can have forgiveness.

If you are in the self-indulgence group and are too busy, stop and make time for whatever is necessary. You won’t regret it and will be blessed.