Do you remember the day you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? I do, it was May 2001, days after graduating from law school. I loved to share my story of salvation, how I grew up in a home that didn’t stress a religious practice. A home where my mother was a quiet Catholic and my father, a practicing heathen.
Or was he? My father never had much to say about any situation our family or his children faced. In fact I often joked as an adult how my father raised us with a book of one liners. My favorites included “think before you speak,” “do you have your rocks in your pocket?” “don’t start none, won’t be none” and his all-time favorite “do what you gotta do.”
The more I live the more I understand that Negro spiritual that we’ll understand it all by and by. Regardless of the outer appearance and/or lack of discussion, of religion in our home, through their actions, love, and one liners, God was present in ours all the time.
Seems like my father was onto a few things.
“Think before your speak.” James 1: 19 encourages us to do just that: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
“Do you have your rocks in your pocket.” This may bear a little more explanation. I was a skinny kid and on windy days, my father insisted I would need rocks in my pocket to keep my feet on the ground. Not only was he encouraging me to be prepared, but to remain grounded at all times. Matt. 24:44 says, “So you also must be ready … because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
“Don’t start none, won’t be none.” Matt 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Starting trouble, mess, and strife in the world prevents you from being a peacemaker as we’ve been called.
And finally his favorite “Do what you gotta do.” This one speaks volumes to me daily. Life isn’t easy; however, not living on purpose isn’t an option either. Whatever it is you desire to be, a wife, mother, successful professional, doctor, preacher or teacher, ultimately it only happens by getting up and doing whatever it is that has to be done for the end result. Procrastination only delays the promise.
Do I understand all the things that life has or hasn’t given me? NO! However, this I know for sure: my God knew exactly what he was doing in giving me my Father. A lifetime of wisdom compacted in a series of one liners. God makes no mistakes.
