Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good
conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Honesty is a wide topic and as I thought on this
I remembered a time when I was in grade school.
I was in the band and played the clarinet.  Our band
teacher was, of course, avid about us spending time
at home to practice.  
It was the day of one of our first performance for our parents
and fellow students at school.  My dad was a school
teacher so he was there to listen to his daughter play
with the band on this exciting day.
After our performance the band teacher surprised several
of us in the band by randomly picking a student to share
how much they practice.  Suddenly, my name rang in my ears when our band teacher asked me to stand and share.  My heart throbbed,
I felt dizzy, and in just a few split seconds I debated on
telling the truth or making some awesome tale of how I
practiced every day. It's amazing how many thoughts can go
through your mind so quickly.  So I made my choice. 
No matter how embarrassed I was I had to be honest.
I blurted out, "Well, sometimes I don't practice at all!"
The auditorium was filled with laughter as I concluded,
"but when I do practice I practice a couple times a week."
After the program my dad came to me and let me know I
embarrassed him, and the band teacher said, "and that's why
you're in last chair."  What I never did have the chance to say
is, "I play by ear; and although I can read music to a point 
I rely on my ears to learn, and my memory to play. 
As years went by I was never my band teachers favorite; yet I can say that although honesty doesn't always bring you popularity - you can fly with the angels when your conscience is clear.

Photo by: Jeri Burt