A Kiss from Rose | Let’s Pull These Mirrors Out: Loyalty Edition

Let’s pull these mirrors out.

Not the binoculars.

Not the magnifying glass for someone else’s behavior.

The mirror.

The one most people avoid.

The one that doesn’t allow us to point fingers without first looking at ourselves.

Because if we’re honest, some people are reading this looking for a prayer.

Some are looking for motivation.

Some are looking for inspiration.

Some are looking for a devotional.

Some may even be tired of the motivational messages altogether.

Some are looking to identify who this message is about.

Some are looking for someone else’s name in the story.

But who is looking for the mirror?

Who will read this to the end?

Who will pause and say:

“Dang… I didn’t realize I do that.”

Who will take accountability?

Who will acknowledge that maybe the very thing they desire from others is the very thing they struggle to give?

Today, let’s talk about loyalty.

Not the loyalty we expect.

The loyalty we actually practice.

Because people want loyalty 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

They want unwavering support.

Unquestioned allegiance.

They want people to show up.

Stand up.

Speak up.

Ride with them.

Defend them.

Support them.

Celebrate them.

Check on them.

Choose them.

But here’s the mirror moment:

Is that what they give?

Or is their loyalty based on convenience?

Based on need?

Based on who is useful at the moment?

Based on whether they think they’ll get caught?

Because loyalty is easy when it costs nothing.

The true test comes when loyalty requires sacrifice.

When it requires consistency.

When it requires showing up even when there is no personal benefit attached.

And that’s where many people struggle.

People want you to like who they like.

Dislike who they dislike.

Support who they support.

Boycott who they boycott.

Distance yourself from who they’ve distanced themselves from.

Yet many won’t offer you the same courtesy.

The rules somehow change when the shoe is on the other foot.

And isn’t that interesting?

People rarely think it’s a big deal when they’re doing it to someone else.

But the sky falls when it’s done to them.

The betrayal feels deeper.

The hurt feels greater.

The offense feels larger.

Why?

Because now they are experiencing the very thing they minimized when someone else felt it.

And let’s be clear.

This isn’t an urban thing.

This isn’t a race thing.

This isn’t a class thing.

This isn’t a church thing.

This isn’t an organizational thing.

This is a people thing.

Human nature often gravitates toward self-preservation.

People are not always loyal to the friend group.

Not always loyal to the marriage.

Not always loyal to the family.

Not always loyal to the church.

Not always loyal to the organization.

Many people are loyal to what serves them.

Loyal to what benefits them.

Loyal to what makes them comfortable.

And they hope you never catch on.

To the outside world everything looks fine.

Pictures are posted.

Smiles are exchanged.

Handshakes happen.

The appearance of unity remains intact.

But behind closed doors?

The phone conversations tell a different story.

The hurt.

The disappointment.

The feelings of betrayal.

The confusion.

The tears nobody sees.

The questions nobody answers.

And perhaps the most exhausting expectation of all is wanting someone to ride, stand, sit, lay down, cry, support, cheer, advocate, defend, and be your flunky until the wheels fall off…

While knowing deep down you would not do the same.

Not because you can’t.

Because it never even crosses your mind.

That is the part that hurts.

Not the inability.

The lack of consideration.

The lack of reciprocity.

The lack of awareness.

Because loyalty is not measured by what you expect.

It is measured by what you consistently give.

And if everyone in your life is complaining about loyalty, betrayal, support, or being let down…

Perhaps the question isn’t:

“Who is disloyal to me?”

Perhaps the question is:

“Am I as loyal as I believe I am?”

That mirror gets quiet, doesn’t it?

Because true loyalty is not proven when things are easy.

It is revealed when there is no applause.

No reward.

No spotlight.

No benefit.

Only character.

📖 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” — Luke 6:31

Notice the Scripture doesn’t say treat people the way they treated you.

It says treat them the way you want to be treated.

That requires maturity.

That requires integrity.

That requires accountability.

💌 Grandma’s Corner

Before you ask who is loyal to you…

Ask yourself who you have been loyal to.

Before you measure someone else’s support…

Measure your own.

Before you point the finger…

Pull out the mirror.

Because sometimes the greatest transformation doesn’t happen when we discover who hurt us.

It happens when we discover the areas where we need to grow.

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