Broken Promises

Several years ago I met a fellow believer in the airport while returning from my daughter’s wedding in Florida. We engaged in great conversation, discovering many mutual interests. He was a decorated war veteran who'd worked in the Pentagon. As our conversation continued, he disclosed that he was in Florida on a business trip, and proceeded to pull out a book with pictures and descriptions of the properties his company owned, easily $5 - $10 million in real estate.

Cecil said he was looking for someone with my skills and background, that he would contact me upon returning home, and retain my services. After deplaning, his wife met Cozette, and we continued in great fellowship. We prayed and agreed as touching those things spoken. Then he said, "The Lord says for you to find a home for sale below market value, and my company will purchase it - for you." I did exactly as instructed - nothing happened. I contacted him regularly for months - no response. To this day he emails pithy anecdotes and inspirational stories, yet no mention of his promise. I wanted to ask him “Why?" Instead I took the matter to God, who gave me Philippians 4 peace surpassing my understanding, and I let it go.

What do you do when others fail to keep their word? Keep marching. I prayed the prayer of Stephen. "Lay not this sin to his (their) charge.” Though I don’t understand Cecil's behavior, I am only responsible for my actions and reactions to this and every situation which comes across my path. It no longer mattered what Cecil's motives were - it only mattered that my spirit remained pure and clear. I could not allow this to infect my heart and affect my future hope and faith in God.

I spoke with Robert the other day, a young man who tragically lost his mother at an early age. Hurt beyond description, he couldn’t understand why people said they would be there for him and haven’t. He was hurting deeply. I attempted to console him but don’t think I did a very good job. I asked forgiveness on behalf of everyone who made - and broke - promises to him, and encouraged him to let it go. He thanked me.

For every promise made and not kept, let's ask forgiveness. One positive that comes from these experiences is whenever asked to pray for someone, I don't promise to - I do it on the spot. Tomorrow's a mystery – life happens.

I don’t know that I’ll ever know why, but I do know that Cecil and Robert taught me the value of careful self-examination, scrutiny of and responsibility for my words, to under promise and over deliver, and to remember the old adage that if something sounds too good to be true, it more than likely is.

The ultimate act of self-mutilation is the violation of one's own word. © ® 2009 Promise Communications.