Dear Friends,
Thirteen years ago, when my oldest granddaughter was five, I promised to take her skydiving on her eighteenth birthday. Over the ensuing years, I would remind her of the promise. At five, she was clear that that jumping out of an airplane wasn’t something she’d even consider. At ten, she was adamant; there was no way she would jump out of a perfectly good airplane. By fifteen, she was cautiously enthusiastic. At seventeen, her standard response was, “Don’t tell mom.”
July 16th was the big day. I had prepaid for her tandem jump at the skydiving facility. We arrived an hour early to make sure everything was in order. As we were filling out the various waivers that pretty much say you have no rights whatsoever, Sierra turned to me and asked, “Pop Pop, how do I answer this question: ‘Do you have a heart condition?’”
“Tell the truth,” I replied, knowing this answer could put an unwelcome end to our thirteen-year adventure.
Sierra suffers from POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). This is a condition in which a change from a lying position to standing causes an abnormally large increase in heart rate. It is managed through medication and by regularly drinking large amounts of water. We had discussed riding roller coasters and other amusement park rides with her physician. He did not anticipate any problems. The day before and the morning of the jump, we made sure Sierra took her medications and was well hydrated.
When one of the jump masters looked at the form, he immediately said, “You can’t jump without a note from your doctor.” I was starting to call Kaiser to see if there was any way I could get in touch with her cardiologist when Sierra stepped up and explained her condition to the jump master.
“I need to stay hydrated, so I drank a lot of water this morning. My cardiologist even gave me a note so I could get in the short lines for all the rides at Magic Mountain.”
“OK … you can jump,” he said.
Our jump went off without a hitch. Sierra even managed to guide her chute into a standing landing, while my butt-first landing was less picturesque.
Sierra walked away from our experience having learned two important lessons. First, she learned the importance of keeping commitments. We had promised each other we would skydive on her birthday, and we both lived up to that commitment. Second, she learned that even when your ability to live up to a commitment is in danger, tell the truth.
People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)
May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:21 (NLT)
Although the story had a happy ending, I am troubled because I had to think twice before I told Sierra to tell the truth. The dream was so close to being fulfilled; I really wanted to avoid anything that would cause our jump to be canceled. Had Sierra not asked me how she should answer the health question, I wouldn’t have said anything. Sierra was the one with integrity.
Living a life of integrity means your heart and your head are moving in the same direction, Whenever your heart knows what is right and your head is more concerned with what is right for you, you can stray from the way God intends for us to go.
Trying to follow the road God wants you to follow? Psalm 15 is a reliable roadmap for living a life of integrity.
Psalm 15 (NIV)
Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the LORD,
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest,
and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 