Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: The last principle from this book I’ve been reading is be impeccable with your word – really say what you’re gonna do, and when you do make your word, follow through on it. Not just do what you say you’re gonna do – impeccable is doing that beyond any way to question it.
The last principle from this book I’ve been reading is be impeccable with your word.
One of the things that drives me nuts about my wife is I’ll be brainstorming an idea. “Hey, maybe we should go up the North Shore and go hiking this weekend, or maybe we should go camping down over here, or maybe we should do that.” Trying to start a conversation, and she takes it as my word. “We are going to do this, and we are going to do that.” Maybe not the best example for this thing, but the kids grab onto that too. And I just really have been trying to reinforce that that’s not a word, a decision. That’s opening up a discussion.
Part of it probably comes from my family, my nature. Some of that probably comes from my commanding presence, I’m strong and solid. I was raised that parents don’t say things more than once and that I follow through and obey. So I have that aura around me. I’ve tried to subdue that in some respects.
On the other hand, be impeccable with your word is to really say what you’re gonna do. And when you do make your word, follow through on it. Though there are times that things get canceled, where younger kids struggle with that, struggle getting through that. Younger ones have a hard time handling the extraneous circumstances and rescheduling and stuff like that.
Thinking about how this relates to scripture, scripture talks about not making vows. Don’t make vows. Don’t give your word too freely, and save that for Christ. And then the Pharisees and the Sadducees — you know why they were always having a hard time? Because they’re sad, you see– They made vows of all their money to the church. In order that they wouldn’t have to support their parents. Honor your father and mother and support your parents if needed. Support them in their old age. We are commanded. Part of honor your father and mother is to do that.
So when we make this last principle from the book is be impeccable with your word and do what you say you’re gonna do. Do more than that. When you commit to a child, when you commit to a spouse, when you commit on your job, when you start a business, and you commit to your customers, do that. And don’t stop there. Impeccable is like doing that beyond any woodpecker pecking through it. It’s impeccable. There’s no way to discredit you’ve followed through on your word.
When I was teaching and working at summer camps and schools, it’s like go put your bar so far up that people can’t even question, can’t even think about, can’t even look at you and question your integrity, your commitment, your follow through.
So should I do the book reveal right now? The book and you should read it. It’s not a Christian based book, but the principles are principles – life and world and getting along. The book is called The Four Agreements. The agreements are: Be your best. Be impeccable with your word. Don’t take anything personally, and don’t make assumptions.
Take that, and your life will grow and abound, and you will find agreement and peace in God.
You be blessed!
