Most
would agree that their adult lives are a reflection of the influence
that their parents had on them. Even those who have gone a harder way
in their life admit to the fact that their mama tried...
Released
in 1968, "Mama Tried" became Merle Haggard's 5th #1 song on Bilboard's
Hot Country Singles chart where it spent 4 weeks at the top position,
Haggard's biggest hit to that time. Somewhat semi-autobiographical in
nature, "Mama Tried" was one of the most enduring hits from this country
music legend and cultural icon, who had served time in San Quentin
prison in 1957. It is so highly regarded as a part of American
culture that it was selected to be included in the National Recording
Registry on March 23, 2016. This would be the last accolade that Merle
Haggard would receive before his death on April 6. We remember 2 of his previous honors in tribute:
There is a very familiar saying regarding the rearing of children. It comes from Proverbs 22 King James Version Of The Bible/The Message Paraphrase Of The Bible parallel.
This passage instructs parents to raise children in an upright and
godly manner. It suggests that when the child becomes older they won't
stray from those teachings. What an incredible responsibility for
parents! Sometimes, however, I wonder if we don't recognize the
responsibility of the children in this passage.
As
Merle sang, "Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I
denied...", upon reaching adulthood, we take the mantle of being
responsible for our own actions. This is a great deal of authority we
take on at that stage of our lives. Regardless of our upbringing, our
behavior as adults is all on us. Many in our world would have you
believe that your deficiencies or successes are a result of how you were
raised. While there is much truth to this, it does not release us from
being culpable for our actions and reactions to the stimuli that creates
the occasion for us to make decisions. Our goodness or badness, while
being a reflection of our folks, is not on them once we become cognizant
adults. The blame game, while seemingly an easy way out, is a lie from
the pit of hell to convince us that we are not liable for our own
actions. This is diametrically opposed to what the Bible teaches.
Return
to chapter 22 of Proverbs. Read that entire chapter. There is much
wisdom in Solomon's instruction that is incredibly relevant to the
culture in which we live. YOU decide how you will live your life. YOU
can make the decision to change if your environment or "village" as a
child was tainted in in an evil way. YOU are the only one who God will
judge for your actions when you die. YOU are the only one who can
choose what your eternal destination will be upon that judgement.
You can begin to make the change that you desire today by realizing that:
everybody sins - Romans 3:23 KJV/The Message parallel
the Bible says that because we sin we deserve to die apart from God - Romans 6:23 KJV/The Message
God didn't create us to die apart from Him, He Loves Us! - John 3:16 KJV/The Message
He made a way for us to be with Him when we die - 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV/The Message
This is how we accept God's grace and get on His pathway - Romans 10:9-10 KJV/The Message.
How can we be sure of this? God promised it - Romans 10:13 KJV/The Message
So
you see friend, you decide. Regardless of how hard your mama may have
tried, she is not how you will get to heaven one day. Only by believing in Jesus do you get to heaven. You must decide what you will do with the man Jesus. You make that
determination, you accept the responsibility, so ultimately, "...that
leaves only me to blame, cause mama tried."
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
No comments:
Post a Comment