Slippery Slope

In my kitchen, there is a designated drawer of inexpensive surprises for my grandchildren, and when they visit, searching the contents of that drawer is their first order of business. Once, I mistakenly purchased a craft that wasn’t age-appropriate, something for children twice their age and of course, it was the first item that got their attention. Discovering the mistake, I explained we would return it for a suitable replacement. The children pressed for permission to proceed anyway. I held the line and prevailed, but the little prophet in the group persisted, “Next time, Bammy?”

I agreed to next time, thinking I would just remove the item and allow the out of sight, out of mind principle to work on my behalf. The problem was that when “next time” came, I hadn’t done my duty and they did not forget. They made a beeline for the drawer and locating the contraband, the same tiny prophet became spokesperson for the group: “Can we do this today? You said we could.” Attempts to redirect focus didn’t work. A chorus of sweet but firm voices asserted, “Bammy, this IS next time!” Truth. Unadulterated truth. That visit, we completed the sophisticated project.

Leadership pivots on a person’s integrity and their word given is the word they must perform. Such is not always the case. Leaders engage then back off; parents threaten but fail to enforce. They may continue as leader, but their leadership is broken because their word is no good, and their immaturity regarding commitment has left others on the precipice, hanging.

The person who fails to perform the word they’ve given is on a slippery slope. A steady stream of other character flaws follows, predictably.

Amen.

Isaiah 55:11, KJV | Romans 4:21, KJV | Verses@Once