What is gumption & where do you get it?

I would like to talk about something today, that some people may not want to hear. Before you stop reading all together, it does not have anything to do with blood, guts, or anything you might have to squint your eyes, just to look at it. This is more personal. You know when we start to get personal, things can get hard. People don’t like to face their short comings.

Since I was very young, I have been of the opinion, that when hard things are presented to me to take responsibility for, if I don’t admit it’s a problem, then it’s not. I don’t try to put the blame on someone else. I just don’t want to acknowledge it. If you don’t admit it, then it’s not really happening, right? My Daddy loves to tell how when I was little & got caught doing something I should not, I would say,

“Let’s just not talk about that.”

Not much has changed. Although, I do try harder to be more responsible, now that I’m older & wiser, ya know. So, let’s all get on our big girl(or boy) pants & open our minds to what I am about to say. If it applies to you, I ask that you think about what you really have going on. And make things right. If it does not apply to you, great! Try to help someone that it might.

There are things that have happened to us in life or will happen to us, that is not pleasant. Things that you would just rather not have to deal with. Problems that come up or untimely issues, that just have a way of surfacing. These are things that need tending to. These things cannot be put off. Like when someone passes away, or you lose your job, or your husband or wife decides they would rather run off & chase a rabbit than be responsible for a family. Maybe someone’s health has failed them. Or your health has failed you. You know, hard stuff. When you are on the receiving end of these tragedies, how you react makes all the difference in the world.

The most positive way to react is to get you some gumption. If you do not know what gumption is, nor where in the world you would get it, let me tell you about it. My Mama used to say in a bad situation,

“He just needs to get some gumption & go on with it.”

Or she would say,

“He ain’t gonna do it , because he ain’t got the gumption.”

Either way gumption is the same as courage or guts. It could mean having the common sense to do something, too. Now, if you have trouble getting you some gumption, then, I suggest you pray about it & let the Good Lord help you with it. Gumption is necessary in life. We have to have it many times, whether we want to face things & or not. People who do not have gumption are sorry, lowdown, cusses who deserve what they get. Life is like a circle. What comes around goes around. You reap what you sow.

If you have things happen to you, & you don’t get you some gumption & handle it in the right way, then, whatever comes to you comes. I pray one day you will see the error of your way, before it’s too late. A person who may have not had the gumption to do the right thing, in one situation, may take a turn & decide to make things right. You have to give that person the benefit of the doubt. However, when presented with several opportunities to do right & they just won’t, don’t waste your time with those people. It’s Just.Not.Worth.It. I hope you don’t have to deal with others who refuse to get some gumption. If you do, just remember, they may eventually come to their senses. Then, we have to be there to have some gumption, as well.

Gumption is sometimes hard to find. However, if you want gumption bad enough, it will come to you. Pray about it. God will be glad to help. He said so.

John 14:14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)

King David found out that not having gumption was a hard thing to live with. When he decided to sleep with another man’s wife & then kill that man, his regrets finally caught up to him.

Psalms 32:3-4For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. ⁴For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. (ESV)

But David did the right thing. He got him some gumption & asked God’s forgiveness.

Psalms 32: 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (ESV)

I am so glad you came by to visit today. Thank you for letting me get that off my chest today. It’s nice when you just lend me your ear like that. I hope it is a beautiful day wherever you are. The humidity has been released, yet again, in full force, here in northeast Mississippi. It’s just like the top was popped & ever so gently pulled back. The humidity just came pouring on out! I hope to be seeing you all again, soon. Until then, I will have to be going, because I should be washing clothes.