I Promise

Audio By Carbonatix

Distrust can build in our family lives when we throw around the word promise like it’s disposable. We need to recognize that when we make a promise, it’s a really big deal. When we say, “I promise,” that makes an incredible difference. It’s personal. It’s a testimony to our character and integrity. That’s why I’m urging you to stop using that word lightly.

Consider your word choice in the last week or month. Have you made any promises to your spouse? It’s easy to do. How many times has a spouse heard, “I promise I’ll be home by dinner,” only to have their spouse walk in the door two hours after the normal dinner time and see an empty plate on the table? Or, “I promise I won’t spend that much,” only to hear that the deal was just too good to pass up? Or worse, “I promise to be faithful,” only to hear an explanation for why it happened?

What promises have you made to your children that ended up tossed aside when keeping them turned out to be difficult? A parent promises to leave work on time so that they can see their child pitch in their first baseball game or watch them perform on opening night of their first school drama, only to have their child look out and see an empty chair. Someone promises their boss or coworker that they are going to get that task done because they know it’s holding up the entire process. But they couldn’t help it that some other task got in their way.

The idea here is not to make anyone feel guilty, but to make you aware of the strength of the word promise. It has the power to make someone smile and to make someone cry. The lesson is that if you don’t think you can do it, then don’t promise it! Say things like, “I’m going to do everything in my power to try to make this happen, but I can’t promise you.” Avoid the “P” word if you can’t follow through.

My advice to you today is simple. Don’t make a promise if you don’t mean it. Don’t say it if you can’t act on it. I’ve seen many family relationships break apart after promises have been made and then not fulfilled. There is one thing that I will promise you today. If you make a change in this area and begin to follow through on the promises that you make, your family will benefit, you will benefit, and everyone will be winning at home.