Desperate to assign blame for who I am today, I embarked on a sacred mission. I scoured old pictures and canvassed articles and books. I conducted a memory search of events in my life. I discovered something interesting…. I missed out on a lot of things as a child. Lots of things other kids did, I never experienced. And it hit me… it was all “Mama’s Fault!”

I never got the chance to get caught stealing or shoplifting because the first time I tried it at home, the pain reminded me to never try it again.

I missed out on vandalizing another person’s property and paying for damages.

I escaped being arrested for a crime resulting in life in prison.

I avoided addiction to cigarettes and struggling with breathing problems or lung cancer.

I ran from needles or any other drugs that would leave me strung out or dead from an overdose.

I never got the chance to date at the age of 12, 13, 14, or 15 which may have resulted in a teenage pregnancy or a STD.

I distanced myself from the wrong crowd so I could stay out of trouble—and you know what—it was all “Mama’s Fault!”

Thinking back, I also realize there were some things that many other kids did not do. But somehow…just somehow…I had to do them—whether through peaceful requests or forcible tactics. And again, it was all “Mama’s Fault!”

I learned to say the complete sentence “No” without apologizing or explaining my reasons. This allowed me to fulfill my divine purpose and stop trying to be everything to everybody which robbed me of my time and energy.

I embraced honesty and integrity due to insistence on always telling the truth.

I completed twelve years of school and college so I could be educated. I went on to complete graduate studies to secure a better economic future.

I washed dishes and clothes, made beds, swept floors, dusted, vacuumed, cooked meals and endured all kinds of “hard” labor designed to prepare me for life on my own.

I disciplined myself in money management aided by the shock of having to split my small allowance in three parts—giving in church, saving for a desire, and spending the rest.

I braced myself in church Sunday after Sunday after Sunday being motivated to do right. Many times, I endured three Sunday services in one day engulfed in grace, love and mercy.

I learned to trust Jesus as my Lord and Savior in order to secure eternal life, and now I live forever Covered…and yet again…it was all “Mama’s Fault!”

So, if your Mother did the same, thank her for not allowing you to do what all the other kids did. Thank her for motivating or forcing you to do the things which gave you life lessons. Thank her for gifting you with 20/20 vision so you could view life with God’s wisdom.

I don’t know about you, but I rejoice in the fact that my mother loved the Lord and loved me enough to motivate me in the right direction. She helped me become who I am today. At the time, I questioned the logic of many of her decisions, but I credit her for placing the fear of God and the fear of her in me to simply just trust and obey. I am so thankful that it was…. all “Mama’s Fault!”. Why? Simply…

Wishing you a Blessed Mother’s Day!

Mama's Fault