Integrity is What You Do When No One is Looking

This morning I read an article about an 11-year-old who made the winning shot for $50,000 … only he was not the right 11-year-old!  In a charity hockey game, Nick Smith won the raffle for a chance to shoot a 3 inch puck through a 3.5 inch hole from 90 feet away.  Since Nick was outside when his name was called, his twin brother Nate stepped up to attempt the trick.  And he made it!

The boys’  father was caught up in the excitement of the moment and played along with the switcheroo!  However, the next morning the father called promoters to right the wrong: “We thought honesty was the best policy and we wanted to set a good example for our kids.”

Right on, Dad!  My eldest daughter caught the same understanding when she was asked (as punishment) to write an essay on INTEGRITY.  This is what she wrote:

Integrity means to be honest when no one is looking. If you have integrity you will have more privileges and trust and friends. If you have integrity your friends will trust you because they know you are trustworthy in all things and at all times. . . . If you have integrity, you are honest, trustworthy and you are a good friend to have especially when your friend needs help with an outfit choice.

She got most of it right.  As a parent, you love to share moments like these.  As a parent, are you teaching your kids about integrity?

Image: Seabamirum