"And that's it. Go on home—the minute you step foot in town, the boy will die. Everyone will come to his burial, mourning his death. He is the only one in Jeroboam's family who will get a decent burial; he's the only one for whom God, the God of Israel, has a good word to say." 1 Kings 14:12-13 (MSG)

I was struck by the blunt truth that Ahijah spoke to Jeroboam's wife in today's chapter. Sometime's I think that we avoid speaking plain truth in today's culture.

Instead of telling a child that they've failed the test and need to take the course over again, we pat them on the back and applaud them for doing the best they can. Instead of facing loss, learning from it, and letting it motivate us to improve, we hand everyone a trophy and tell them they are all winners.

God, help me to be obedient and "speak the truth in love."