Refusing to take responsibility for one’s own actions began in the Garden of Eden. Adam was the first to blame a parent for his predicament (Gen.3:12). Since then, it is one of the classic characteristics of the human race. The blame game seems especially popular among this generation of young adults, from their thirties downward. Maybe it’s because those who are older have lived long enough to realize the futility of pointing the finger. Someone said, “You are not responsible for the programming you picked up in childhood. However, as an adult, you are one hundred percent responsible for fixing it.”
The purpose in blaming parents, or others, for one’s miserable life and all the mistakes they’ve made, is so that it does not fall upon them. It is easy to make someone else the scapegoat, excusing everything you have ever done. After all, who wants to accept responsibility for such colossal, and sometimes inexcusable, blunders? The one bad thing about not taking personal responsibility is that you give up the power to change; it leaves one impotent to improve. If you mess up, ‘fess up! The prodigal got out of the pig-sty when he acknowledged it was him, and no one else at fault. It is a terrible thing to grow old blaming parents or others for the way we are. One thing is for sure; this kind of person has never honestly faced the face they see when looking into the mirror!
But, “There is hope in thine end, saith the Lord.” The way to a fresh, vibrant, and meaningful life is found in simply taking personal responsibility. To re-phrase the Gospel song, “It’s not my Father, or my Mother, or someone else, O Lord; but me standing in need.” I heard an old preacher say once, “The secret of David’s relationship with God was that he was a good repenter.”
We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until... we have stopped saying "It got lost," and say "I lost it." ~Sidney J. Harris
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