“Son, follow my advice, shoulder earthly life’s toils, snares, and burdens, and on Judgment Day God will say to you what He said to me: ‘Welcome home, My child.’”
At each New Year’s beginning, I analyze the worst mistakes made over the last twelve months, try to forget them, and create mentally a “tabula rasa” — a clean slate — on which I record resolutions for the coming twelve months. On average, they are abandoned by the end of January.
I lack self-discipline. So, I consulted the one person who always provided the soundest advice: Mama, who now lives in Heaven with God.
“Mama, how can I overcome my lack of self-discipline?”
“Son, all things, whatsoever you ask in prayer, believe, and you shall receive.”
“Mama, many of my prayers go unanswered. For instance, when I ask the Lord to lessen what I consider to be too great a burden of suffering, He says, ‘No.’”
“Son, tribulation strengthens you. In His infinite wisdom, God knows that pain and suffering lift His children above mundane matters and draw them closer to Him.”
“Mama, that is a hard piece of advice to swallow. Answer me this: As you know, I’m the most impatient of all your kids. Many times, I’ve asked God to develop in me the virtue of patience. He always says, ‘No.’”
“Son, patience has its roots in and develops from worldly cares. It is not an automatically granted virtue — it must be learned, which it cannot be if your life were nothing but happiness.”
“Mama, speaking of happiness … when I ask the Heavenly Father to give me an abundance of it, He always says, ‘No.’”
“Son, the Lord gives you an abundance of blessings; be thankful for them, and the happiness He has planned for you will follow.”
“Mama, I make little money and don’t own much. I often ask God to give me things so that I might get more enjoyment out of life. He always says, ‘No.’”
“Son, lust for material possessions is a primary cause of human misery. God is really saying, ‘I gave you the precious gift of life so that you could enjoy all things.’”
“Mama, I often ask the Lord to help me overcome my vices. He always says, ‘No.’”
“Son, you must realize that God wants you to build spiritual strength continually, and one of the best ways to do that is to — on your own — defeat your vices. Day by day, put on the whole armor of God, which will provide a self-discipline so strong that it is impervious to worldly temptations.”
“Mama, this conversation has provided me little comfort and reassurance.”
“Listen to me, boy! What you want, you must earn. You must be grateful that God blessed you with the ability to earn what you want. Thank Him by doing so with a positive, optimistic attitude. Remember what the Bible teaches in the book of Colossians: ‘Whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.’
“Son, follow my advice, shoulder earthly life’s toils, snares, and burdens, and on Judgment Day God will say to you what He said to me: ‘Welcome home, My child.’”
Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.
This story is a selection from Jimmy Reed’s latest book, entitled The Jaybird Tales.
Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
At each New Year’s beginning, I analyze the worst mistakes made over the last twelve months, try to forget them, and create mentally a “tabula rasa” — a clean slate — on which I record resolutions for the coming twelve months. On average, they are abandoned by the end of January. 
