We were sitting on the couch enjoying the evening until it was interrupted by a cantankerous smell. I knew it wasn’t me, so the culprit had to be seated on the left or on the right. The suspects? My six year-old stepdaughter Ryen or eight year-old stepson Parker. I loathe flatulence and I will turn it into a courtroom drama if I have to to ensure I find the flatulent faultier.
I looked at Ryen and she pointed at Parker. Parker had just come from soccer practice, was grass-stained and smelling ripe, so I safely deduced it was him. Besides, something smelling that bad had to come from a boy. It just had to.
Parker, I said with a serious tone, did you pass gas? He looked at me quizzically until I rephrased the question. Parker, did you fart? He shook his head and said he didn’t. I told him I knew to tell the truth because it’s more important to tell the truth than it is to hide from being embarrassed. He shook his head from side to side convincingly and swore it wasn’t him. I raised my right eyebrow in a I’m-trying-to-be-Columbo kind of way like my mother would always do.
He screamed, I DIDN’T FART!!!! I was taken back by his reaction because deep in my heart I had concluded that Parker was the culprit, he was lying, and I had to turn this into a truth-telling life lesson.
Before I could say another word, a small snicker came from the opposing couch. Ryen had her knees pulled into her chest with her hand over her mouth trying to stifle a giggle. Ryen Blake Olthoff, I say in my I’m-trying-to-be-Columbo voice, did you fart and blame it on your brother? She slyly smiled and said, Wait for it… wait for it…
At that moment the silence was broken with a small poof and the most deadly odor you can possibly imagine filled my nostrils. She laughed uncontrollably and I knew she was the StinkBomb who was gassing the house.
I learned three things in that moment:
- I could never be Columbo
- Ryen needs to stop eating cat or whatever she’s consuming that is making her gassy
- The truth will always come out
Our reaction to blame and false accusations might resemble Parker’s reactions: anger, frustration, hurt, defense. But that night I was reminded of a truism my father taught us as children. God. Time. Truth. He always said those three words when he believed we were withholding truth. Through GOD in TIME the TRUTH will be revealed. God. Time. Truth. And he’s right.
The truth will come out. And it may stink. But don’t worry if people blame you or accuse you falsely. God. Time. Truth.
Proverbs 19:5, A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
If you need the truth to be revealed, don’t worry. It will. In the words of Ryen, wait for it… wait for it. 😉
This is so true and relevant to something that happened to me a year ago, GOD, TIME, TRUTH….in that exact order!
Thank you for this reminder. xo
I’ll thank my dad for you 😉 He’s brilliant.
I love how the Lord uses our children for teachable application! Awesome!
I thought I was going to be the one with the life-lesson, but it was Parker who taught ME!
Please come to my house and be Columbo. There’s no hiding it around here and a certain 13 yr old boy is to blame… 99% of the time:)
YOU FEEL ME!!! I can’t believe this is my life. My hilariously odorous life.
Awesome and soooooooooooooooo true……….love it!
Thank you for this reminder (and tell your pops thanks, too). I needed to read this today! Especially the reminder about … time. I’m not always the best at patience 🙂
Stop feeding her Kale and broccoli! hahaha. Also, I always remember your dad saying that, and it would come out at the right time! I know I have to be patient but I sooooo want to go wave my finger in someone’s face and cry out that I know what I know and I’m so hurt! Thanks for another great read!
Ya know, lying is very much like farting.. It stinks, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, it disturbs peace and unity, it separates friends and family..
I wait for the day the TRUTH comes out… It might not be today or tomorrow but my hope is in Jesus.. One day the truth will come out, here on earth or when that person meets their maker.. Great post and awesome reminder to hold on to God’s promises.
Thanks for posting.
Norma G.
HA-LARIOUS!!! AHAHA thanks for the laugh & knowledge B!!! 😉 xo,dana
Oh my gosh, as the mother of 3 girls and 1 boy… and they way you tie everything together and word it… I just laaaaughed and laughed and laughed! 🙂
Word up!