About taking responsibility

Inspiration

By Charles Towne

When I was just a runty little kid, no bigger than a misbegotten wart on a toad’s behind, thanks to my blessed mother I learned a most valuable lesson about responsibility. I accidentally on purpose shot a cardinal with my slingshot. I picked the bird up, and though I was proud of my marksmanship, I was sorry that the beautiful creature was dead. I carried the bird home and showed it to my mama, and being very wise she asked, “Why did you kill it?” I had no answer. And then she asked, “What are you going to do with it?” I replied, “Do with it? I don’t know, I guess I’ll bury it.” She took the once beautiful bird in her hands and holding it oh so carefully, she said, “Oh my, don’t bury it son. I believe I can think of something better to do with it.” And she did. That evening I ate fried cardinal for supper. (Take my word for it, cardinals are not for eating!) Yes, I was definitely sorry for killing the cardinal, and I can still taste that bird to this day. I never shot another songbird in my long and eventful life. We must take responsibility for our actions not always blame others. My dear friend, I cannot change you, but I can, by God’s abundant grace and with His will, change myself. No, I take that back, I can’t even change myself, I’ve tried that and it don’t work, only God can do that. Actually, it is the only thing I really know for sure.

We must remember that there is always a price to be paid for our actions, and for the words we speak. This is a basic rule of nature, and a rule that most of us have forgotten, the price is called, consequence. We can go through life always playing the blame game, always angry, mean-spirited and full of hate or we can let go of all the negative and surrender to a loving God. What we do is up to us. We can live in a constant state of hate, anger, and discord, or we can be what Papa God calls us to be, a person taking on the image of our Lord, master, and friend Jesus Christ.

Live fully,

Love openly,

And make a difference, today

Charles Towne is first and foremost a Christian. An octogenarian, author, journalist, wildlife photographer, naturalist, caregiver, and survivor, his life has been and continues to be, a never-ending adventure filled with possibilities never imagined. He has adopted the philosophy that to Live fully, laugh uproariously, love passionately, and learn like there is no tomorrow, is a formula for a long and joy-filled life.