{"id":13319,"date":"2018-01-17T07:39:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-17T13:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/?p=13319"},"modified":"2026-03-17T18:45:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T23:45:47","slug":"to-keep-a-promise-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2018\/01\/17\/to-keep-a-promise-2\/","title":{"rendered":"To Keep a Promise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was a time when a person\u2019s word meant something.<br>A time when you didn\u2019t need a contract, a signature, or a lawyer \u2014 you simply shook hands, looked one another in the eye, and that was enough. A promise spoken was a promise kept. And everyone understood the weight of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And even before that, when we were kids, a <strong>pinky promise<\/strong> was all we needed.<br><br>Two small fingers linked together, sealing a commitment that felt unbreakable. We didn\u2019t need explanations or disclaimers. We didn\u2019t need to negotiate terms. We just knew \u2014 if you pinky\u2011swore, you meant it. Childhood understood something that adulthood often forgets: <strong>your word matters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Somewhere along the way, life got louder, busier, and more complicated. Promises became casual. Commitments became flexible. Words became something people used, not something they honored. Yet Scripture reminds us that integrity is not optional for the people of God. It is foundational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s an old saying: <strong>\u201cYour word is your bond.\u201d<\/strong><br>It means that what you say should be as reliable as who you are. It means that your character is revealed not in what you intend to do, but in what you actually follow through on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping your word is not about perfection.<br>It\u2019s about honor.<br>It\u2019s about respect.<br>It\u2019s about living in such a way that people know they can trust you \u2014 because you have shown them they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we keep our promises, we reflect the character of the One who keeps every promise He has ever made. God never speaks lightly. He never commits halfway. He never says one thing and does another. His faithfulness is the standard we are called to imitate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And when we fail \u2014 because we will \u2014 the answer is not to shrug it off. The answer is to make it right. To apologize. To repair what was damaged. To restore what was lost. Integrity is not about never stumbling; it\u2019s about standing back up and choosing truth again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a world full of broken commitments, keeping your word becomes a quiet act of courage.<br>A witness.<br>A testimony.<br>A way of saying, \u201cI belong to the One who is faithful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">May we be people whose promises mean something.<br>May our yes be yes, and our no be no.<br>And may our lives reflect the steady, trustworthy heart of God \u2014 the One whose word has never failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" data-attachment-id=\"147\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2025\/01\/17\/to-keep-a-promise\/keeping-your-promises\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/keeping-your-promises.jpg?fit=640%2C425&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"640,425\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Promise Connection Between Two Hands\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Image description only: The image shows two hands, one with a wristband and a bracelet, gently holding each other against a wooden background, with the text &amp;#8220;You promise?&amp;#8221; indicating a vow or commitme.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Two hands gently holding each other, representing a promise to keep and trust.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/keeping-your-promises.jpg?fit=640%2C425&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/keeping-your-promises.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-147\" alt=\"Close-up of two hands holding each other, symbolizing a promise and trust.\"  > <figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A moment of connection symbolizing trust and commitment as two hands intertwine, echoing the importance of keeping promises.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A reflection on the power of keeping your word \u2014 from childhood pinky promises to the days when a handshake was binding \u2014 and why integrity still matters for those who follow a faithful God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132804860,"featured_media":147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5173,363995,776797139],"tags":[785751861,785751860,785750999,785751863,785751864,785751859,785751862,13993],"class_list":["post-13319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christian-living","category-faith-reflections","category-reflections-devotionals","tag-faithfulness-2","tag-character-and-trust","tag-christian-living","tag-integrity","tag-keeping-your-word","tag-pinky-promise","tag-promises-and-commitments","tag-spiritual-growth"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/keeping-your-promises.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9vUsN-3sP","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":146,"url":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2025\/01\/17\/to-keep-a-promise\/","url_meta":{"origin":13319,"position":0},"title":"To Keep a Promise","author":"myallaboutyou","date":"January 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The value of promises is significant, reflecting one's character and integrity. While children naturally make pinkie promises, adults face challenges in keeping commitments through marriage, work, and personal goals. Breaking promises can lead to guilt and diminished self-worth. Fulfilling them strengthens relationships and self-esteem, requiring courage and perseverance to maintain.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Act of Kindness&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Act of Kindness","link":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/category\/act-of-kindness\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Close-up of two hands holding each other, symbolizing a promise and trust.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/keeping-your-promises.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/keeping-your-promises.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/keeping-your-promises.jpg?fit=640%2C425&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12067,"url":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2026\/01\/16\/from-manifestation-to-resurrection-epiphanys-promise-of-christs-return-and-humanity-restored\/","url_meta":{"origin":13319,"position":1},"title":"From Manifestation to Resurrection: Epiphany&#8217;s Promise of Christ&#8217;s Return and Humanity Restored","author":"myallaboutyou","date":"January 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Epiphany does not end with the Magi. It opens toward resurrection and the promise of Christ\u2019s return. This reflection considers how what is revealed in humility will one day be fulfilled in glory, and how that hope shapes how we live now.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Liturgical Reflections&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Liturgical Reflections","link":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/category\/liturgical-reflections\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Luminous theological artwork depicting the full arc of Christ\u2019s revelation: the Nativity with the Magi offering gifts under the guiding star at the top, the Cross and crown of thorns in the center, the empty tomb with radiant light pouring from it, and Christ returning in glory with outstretched hands, surrounded by worshippers and a bright star-filled sky, symbolizing the journey from manifestation to resurrection and the restoration of humanity.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Resurrection-annd-Birth.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Resurrection-annd-Birth.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Resurrection-annd-Birth.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Resurrection-annd-Birth.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12035,"url":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2026\/01\/15\/faith-that-cannot-be-taken-st-perpetuas-witness\/","url_meta":{"origin":13319,"position":2},"title":"Faith That Cannot Be Taken: St. Perpetua&#8217;s Witness","author":"myallaboutyou","date":"January 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Her dignity does not come from defiance. It comes from fidelity. And that kind of faith cannot be taken by force.\" \u2014 St. Perpetua's witness reminds us that Epiphany is allegiance to Christ when the world grows costly: light held in the heart, even in darkness.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Early Christian Witnesses \/ Early Church History&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Early Christian Witnesses \/ Early Church History","link":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/category\/early-christian-witnesses-early-church-history\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Realistic historical illustration of Vibia Perpetua (died AD 203), a young North African Christian mother gently embracing her newborn baby, her face showing calm dignity and inner peace amid family anguish and persecution, symbolizing fidelity to Christ and glory beyond death.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/St.-Perpetua.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/St.-Perpetua.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/St.-Perpetua.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/St.-Perpetua.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12025,"url":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2026\/01\/14\/st-macrina-the-younger-how-her-quiet-faith-taught-resurrection-hope\/","url_meta":{"origin":13319,"position":3},"title":"St. Macrina the Younger: How Her Quiet Faith Taught Resurrection Hope","author":"myallaboutyou","date":"January 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"St. Macrina\u2019s quiet confidence in the resurrection offers a steady kind of hope, one that shapes how we face suffering, loss, and the end of life itself. This reflection explores Epiphany as a promise not only of God\u2019s nearness, but of life that does not end.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Scripture Reflection&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Scripture Reflection","link":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/category\/scripture-reflection\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Realistic portrait of a young early Christian woman representing St. Macrina the Younger; she has long wavy brown hair, warm hazel eyes, a calm and radiant facial expression of inner peace, and wears a simple cream-colored robe, set against a soft natural background suggesting hope, gratitude, and eternal life.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Macrina.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Macrina.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Macrina.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Macrina.jpg?fit=784%2C1168&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11111,"url":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2025\/12\/02\/jesus-has-a-family-tree-with-a-history\/","url_meta":{"origin":13319,"position":4},"title":"Jesus Has a Family Tree with a History","author":"myallaboutyou","date":"December 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Before we look at Bethlehem, we need to look at the people and promises that came before it. Jesus came through a real family line \u2014 rooted in memory, music, and centuries of hope. This post begins our Advent journey into the history behind the Nativity.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Advent&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Advent","link":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/category\/holiday-season\/advent-holiday-season\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A warm Advent scene with softly lit candles, evergreen branches, and a small compass icon in the upper-left corner, symbolizing direction, memory, and the history behind Jesus\u2019 family tree.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/jesus-has-a-family-tree-with-a-history.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/jesus-has-a-family-tree-with-a-history.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/jesus-has-a-family-tree-with-a-history.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/jesus-has-a-family-tree-with-a-history.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/jesus-has-a-family-tree-with-a-history.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11802,"url":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/2026\/01\/07\/promised-light\/","url_meta":{"origin":13319,"position":5},"title":"Promised Light","author":"myallaboutyou","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Long before the star appeared over Bethlehem, light was already promised. This reflection explores how God\u2019s promises unfold quietly over time, drawing hearts and nations toward what has been given long before it is fully seen.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;faith reflections&quot;","block_context":{"text":"faith reflections","link":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/category\/faith\/faith-reflections\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A robed figure stands on a hill at dawn, looking out over a wide landscape illuminated by warm sunlight breaking through clouds, with distant settlements visible on the horizon.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Walking-toward-the-light.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Walking-toward-the-light.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Walking-toward-the-light.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Walking-toward-the-light.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/my-all-about-you.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Walking-toward-the-light.png?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132804860"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13319"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13345,"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13319\/revisions\/13345"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my-all-about-you.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}