Put Up or Shut Up

Today I had to put my money where my mouth is. We all know what that means; put up or shut up, walk the walk not just talk the talk, words are cheap, do what I do and not what I say, actions speak louder than words and many other phrases. But what does it REALLY mean? I did a little research.

One theory is that the phrase came from betting. Suppose I assure you that a certain horse is going to win a race; you challenge me to put my money where my mouth is – that is, am I willing to risk my own money on the horse I am telling others to bet on?

Another theory is that the phrase came into being shortly after World War II. The British government used it as an adverting slogan to persuade people to invest their savings in the National Savings Bank Accounts Department.

Whatever the true origin, we know the translation.

Yesterday I posted about my mother and mother-in-law, two women who have shaped my life and for whom I am grateful. I spoke of them being my role models, and they are. And that I am still learning from them, though I am 60 years old (wait, what??). Let me try that again, though I am 60 years old.

Mama was with me part of this weekend. This morning she was a bit difficult and whiny. She wanted to go to her church but not by herself, though I had planned to take her and get her settled in with friends and then another friend bring her home.

However, that was not enough this morning. She wanted me to go with her. My first thought (and word, actually) was “Ugh.” We had been to our church last night and today I was thinking I could get back home somewhat early and begin my Sunday tasks that did not get done yesterday with Mama at my house.

Momentarily, I bristled up against the idea and let Mom know that I did not want to do it.

Then I sensed God’s thumb in my back, saying “Oh, you don’t WANT to. Hmm….Well, your mama doesn’t WANT to be alone. She is 89 and a half years old.” Plus, it had already come to my mind that I may regret not going but I will never regret going.

My selfish, human default was to go, but to put on the accessory of a shiny, little chip on my shoulder. To go but make sure she realized that I was sacrificing for her. To go but let it be known that I was doing the right thing. What a martyr.

That lousy attitude got scrapped. I told my mama that I would go and that we probably needed to worship together anyway. She was happy.

The pastor announced that today is Reformation Sunday, the 500th anniversary. In 1517, a little-known monk named Martin Luther took a hammer and nailed his 95 Theses to the wooden doors of the Wittenberg Chapel. That act began a spiritual earthquake that literally changed the world. He started a revolution that he never planned or expected.

Luther knew there had to be more than lip service. He hungered for truth and for a way to connect with God on a personal level. It set him free.

I learned some new things today. I shared a bible with Mama, though neither one of us could read the tiny print. We sang worship songs together and I put my warm hands over her cold, bony ones. And I was thankful that I got called out to put my money where my mouth is. I even put a little bit of that money into the offering plate.