Honestly!

I am not an expert on relationships. I've never been in a healthy relationship before Josh, and we've only been together for a little over 4 months.

That being said, I want to share something I'm learning.

I've always been a person who values honesty. Sometimes to a fault. I'm not easily embarrassed, and I don't find very many things awkward. But I also used this as a defense mechanism. If I was ridiculously honest, somehow I felt more safe and less vulnerable. Weird, I know.

But that doesn't compare to what I've learned about being honest in the last 4 months. If I had to pick one thing I valued most at the moment about my relationship with Josh, it would be honesty. (Love doesn't count...too broad. =] ) I was talking to Wendy about some things we were working through, and she said that she's worked with couples who have been married for many years who aren't as honest with each other as we are. It's created such a safety and security in our relationship that I really don't think I could do life without.

The bottom line is, I've chosen to be honest. It started with the smallest things. Little feelings we didn't like that we chose to share, even though we could have easily brushed them under the carpet. That led to bigger, more important things that we chose to share. Some of them were so uncomfortable, and potentially very hurtful...but we chose forgiveness.

...that's a whole other blog, for another time. :)

In conclusion, choose honesty. Doesn't matter who it is, what the circumstances, or the potential consequences. God honors truth, and He will honor you.