I remember back to when I was a teenager. The idea of someone having a secret crush on you was so romantic. It played well in books and movies. Nothing seemed better.

Here, in Proverbs, we find something better than loving in secret. It’s having someone openly correct you.

With the rise of the Internet, we have learned to have superficial relationships. We join 20 groups and chat. But when it comes to something deeper, we immediately get offended. We don’t want to be corrected of our faults, though we don’t mind pointing out someone else’s.

If your friends are faithful to you, they will tell you the truth. Even when you miss it. And if you are a real friend to them, you will listen and take it. When we love, we deal plainly. A real friend isn’t telling you something you don’t want to hear to make you angry, but to bring you good. It might wound you a bit, but it’s knowing the truth that sets you free.

So the next time your buddy corrects you, don’t get angry. Thank her/him for loving you enough to mention it.

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For a limited time, a few of the devotionals will be posted for your spiritual enrichment in this blog. These are taken from the upcoming one year devotional to be released October, 2007 One Minute Guide to Health, Wealth, and Happiness: Wisdom from the book of Proverbs © 2007, Raquel Soto All rights reserved