The Way It Is

Texans love to tell a story that begins with this question: “Did you know that George Washington originally came from Texas?” They then go on to explain that the Washington family originally lived on a Texas ranch and that one day George cut down his father’s favorite cherry tree. “Did you do this,” George’s father asked. “Father, I cannot tell a lie, I did it,” George replied. Whereupon, his father said, “Any boy who cannot tell a lie cannot be from Texas.” So they moved to Virginia.

I cannot vouch for the historical validity of that story, although Texans love to tell it. However, they should know that even if they claim it, Texans have no monopoly on lying and dishonesty in our culture. Unfortunately, lying and dishonesty have become very much a part of our life-in business, in politics, and even in religion and theology. We talk smilingly about cheating on our taxes. We teach our children at a very tender age that…