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The Pastoral Lens
The Pain of Telling the Truth
Tuesday, November 26, 2002
As our American neighbours are in the throes of another Thanksgiving season, I am reminded of an incident that occurred a number of years ago during our Thanksgiving which taught me a valuable lesson about truth, and the high cost of telling it.I was working at a restaurant known for excellent food and good service. The owner had built a solid reputation for himself over the years and had received much praise from his peers in the restaurant industry. Back then, I was a busboy, working 3-5 nights each week. I absolutely loved the job! The people were great to work with and I had lots of spending money. I didn't mind working the holidays (we were closed for Christmas, though, for which I was thankful) since we were paid overtime. Thanksgiving was one holiday I particulary enjoyed working. My family would have our Thanksgiving meal on the Sunday since my 2 brothers and my mom usually worked the holiday on Monday. The place was busy, most people were in a good mood, and there was lots of "leftover" things to eat while you worked your shift.
This one particular Thanksgiving stands out most of all, though. Seating was by reservation only, and we were completely sold out. Families of six or more could order their own turkey, carved right at the table, complete with all the trimmings. There were NO extra birds in the oven, we had just the right amount for those customers who ordered them. Everything was going along smoothly that day until the "fumble."
Our manager was helping some of the wait staff to carve turkeys since there were so many orders. Busboys were called upon to top up water glasses, replenish bread baskets, and basically take any orders from the manager. Well, in his hurry to get a turkey dinner out to one table of six, the cart hit a seam in the carpet and stopped abruptly. Sadly, due to the law of inertia, the turkey did not! It rolled off the cart and on to the floor like a loose ball on the goal line of an important football game. As time seemed to stand still, and as I stood paralyzed with shock, I was awakened to my senses by the masterful words of the manager: "Don't worry, folks,"he explained, "we have lots of other turkeys in the oven. We'll just replace this one with one of those." It was a cunning fib that had the same effect as the lie the Grinch told Cindy Lou Who when he was stealing her family's Christmas tree. He picked up the fallen fowl and ushered it to the kitchen, calling for me to follow. In a matter of just a few minutes, with the help of a butter brush, the damaged goods were shipped back to their original destination under the guise of something new.
I learned something that day: the truth hurts! It is tough to admit our faults because we are left having to suffer with the consequences. We have tried to compartmentalize lies into various categories in order to make some allowable. For instance, if we have to lie to keep anotherís feelings from being hurt, we call it a ìlittle white lieî and pretend that itís an exception. Nevertheless, it is still a lie, and a lie is a corruption of the truth. Jesus said He was the Truth (John 14:6). If I am called to serve Him, then I must be willing to pay the price truth costs.
Oh, I have to run. My wife is trying on a new dress and wants to know if it makes her look fat. Hmm, I had better choose my words wisely, don't you think?
