Parenting, Proverbs, and the power of honesty: a father’s reflection
The other day, my six-year-old daughter walked out of the bathroom with her shoes tied together. One lace from the right shoe knotted to one lace from the left. What started as a silly idea quickly turned into a problem she couldn’t undo.
When she explained what happened, she told me, “I accidentally tied my shoes together.” We both knew it wasn’t accidental. She admitted that she thought it would be funny, realized it was a mistake, and then tried to soften the truth with a half-lie.
As we talked, I reminded her that I don’t expect her to be perfect. Mistakes are part of growing up. But when she isn’t honest about them, I can’t step in to help her untie the mess. Lying only makes the knot tighter.
Her little shoes became a mirror of something much bigger. When we make a mistake, our first instinct is often to cover it up. We wrap it in softer words, excuses, or half-truths. At the root of that impulse is usually pride or fear—pride that doesn’t want to admit failure, or fear that the truth will bring rejection or consequences.
But Proverbs 28:13 gives us a clear picture:
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Covering up sin doesn’t bring relief; it only deepens the tangle. But confession—the simple act of honesty—opens the door to mercy.
This chapter in Proverbs makes an important connection. Covering up is tied to pride and fear. Confessing is tied to humility and wisdom.
God never expected us to be flawless. Scripture tells us plainly that we will stumble. But He invites us to bring those stumbles to Him—not with excuses, not with watered-down versions of the truth, but with open confession. That’s where His mercy meets us.
There is no need for fear when we come to the Lord in honesty. Confession isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
As parents, leaders, or simply as people trying to walk faithfully, we can take this to heart:
- Don’t soften the truth. Speak it plainly, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Remember God’s posture. He doesn’t demand perfection but welcomes confession.
- Create safe spaces. Just as children need assurance that honesty won’t end in rejection, so do we.
When we choose honesty, we invite God’s mercy to begin untying the knots we’ve made.
- Joe Davis '15, Director of Online and Graduate Enrollment