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Talk is Cheap, Actions are Golden


Authenticity during this Lenten Season: A Reflection for Lent.


Have you ever been in a conversation with someone, talk about many things, share many of the same views on life, and then shortly thereafter, that certain 'someone' does something, or somethings, that completely contradict the whole conversation you just had with them? Then, you are left, standing there, dumbfounded and confused, asking yourself, 'Why did I just waste my time?'


Talk is cheap. Anyone can put together a few sentences that sound good, admirable, inspiring. My two year old is putting words together, and recognizing the impact words can have. Words can get him what he wants. He's thirsty, he uses words like 'drink' and suddenly, his mother is at his side with a cup of water. Words get us things all the time. Sometimes, words can influence people. Sometimes, words can impress people. However, using words all the time without backing them up with action, are just hollow words. When actions don't follow the words, our intentions are hiding.


Actions are golden. There's no hiding in action. Either you do it or you don't. There's truth in action, because our intentions are out there, for all to see, good or bad. When you say something, and then you back it up with action proving you are good to your word, you are authentic, true, honest, and really inspiring.


It's difficult to always keep words and actions in line with each other. We are human, we make mistakes, our fallen nature creeps in. Are we doomed to never be authentic, never being able to pair our words with actions accurately? Why bother?


This is yet another reason for confession. We ARE weak. We probably WILL sin. However, look to this Lenten season, as a time for self-analysis. How often do my words contradict my actions? Am I really representing myself as who I say I am? If I say, I am Catholic, would others know just by watching me and my life? Could others tell in my words that I am Christian, that I have Faith, that I have Hope, that I have Love?


Again, talk is cheap. We, even as parents, know that talk is cheap. If our children see us talk big game, but never deliver, never act according to what we say, it's over. They lose respect for us. And that is to the determent of the parent/child relationship. And not just that.... Children make their first impressions of God, based on their impressions of their parents.


We must take a moment in time, take one aspect, just one aspect of our life, and make it authentic. Make the words reflect the action. Make the actions reflect our words! Our children are always watching if we are true to what we say......and showing our children our own authenticity, gives them the strength to have God in their life, because they know if they can trust their parent, they can trust God, the Father as well.
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