Weekly Reflection: The Weight of “Little White Lies”

This week, I found myself pondering something seemingly minor… yet significant.

I told a “little white lie.”

I took my sister’s dog to the groomer. It wasn’t something she requested, but I wanted to treat the dog, and honestly, he needed a haircut. His fur was overgrown and tangled.

So when the groomer asked, "When was the last time you groomed him?" I replied, “We just found him and this is his first grooming.”

That wasn’t entirely true. In that moment, I felt a sense of embarrassment. Not for myself, but for how it might reflect on my family.

Yes, we did find him… but it was years ago. While my family had tried to care for him, this wasn’t his first grooming—it was just his first professional one.

And still… I lied.

Not a major lie.

Not something dramatic.

But it lingered with me.

For days. Even weeks.

I kept wondering… why?

Why lie about something so trivial?

Why hold onto something that wasn’t even mine?

Why feel the need to protect an image?

And that’s when it dawned on me…

I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to protect others.

Their image.

Their reputation.

Their perception.

Like a “big momma” energy—covering, shielding, smoothing things over.

I’ve done it for partners.

For family.

For friends.

Convincing myself it’s out of love… when sometimes it’s rooted in fear.

Fear of judgment.

Fear of what people will think.

Fear of discomfort in truth.

But what I’m learning now is this:

My discernment is becoming sharper.

The things that once seemed “small” no longer feel right to me.

Because the truth is—little white lies don’t stay little.

They gradually erode your integrity.

They foster habits of avoidance.

And over time… they can lead to bigger compromises.

This wasn’t about a dog.

It was about alignment.

It was about choosing truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

It was about realizing that I don’t need to carry or cover for anyone.

And most importantly… I don’t need to distort truth to protect love.

Growth looks like this for me right now—catching the small things, feeling conviction (not shame), and choosing to do better next time.

Because God is refining me… even in the smallest moments.

Action for the week:

Pay attention to the “small” things that don’t feel right to you.

That’s where your growth lies.