By Terry Allen
Like Big Mama’s more than a notion, I know so many other mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and black women who have uttered that statement, “If the Lord says the same I will too”. The phrase is a staple thought in our community. Maybe it came off as just a catchphrase to you or maybe you thought it was an easy response for a churchgoer to say instead of Hello or Goodbye. I decided that since Lucille “Big Mama” Allen said it, then I would unravel my understanding of it. The statement definability has religious connotations not like some of the phrase including “If Fate decrees”, and “Anyway the wind blows it is ok with me”, or “What a blessing, it must be my lucky day “, all of which relates to the future, but does not have the religious connotation “IF THE LORD SAYS THE SAME“ has.
The idea is, “If the Lord permits.” The spiritual Christian submits himself to the will of God. He keeps God’s viewpoint on his whole life. We say, “The Lord willing; I will do this or that.” This attitude demonstrates submission to God’s will. It should be more than a jingle but an orientation of life that accepts God’s providence for my life, “I accept what God chooses to do with me. This is far from a magic formula for one’s life. Big Mama told us many times that our way is not our way yet it is God’s way.
What I understood from Big Mama’s statement fell along the lines of God and Fate. I evaluated what she meant –“ barring some unforeseen act or occurrence that God does NOT bless me through then things will work out and I will be here.” I do recall when on a family visit to one of my Big Mama’s 21 siblings like Aunt Rosa, Aunt Lillian or Aunt Mary, as they ended the visit they would say “Cille” you coming back right? She would always respond with, ““If the Lord says the same I will”! My French quarter family customized the phrase when we visited with them. They would answer with, “If God is willing and the creek don’t rise”! Amen!
What I do know is “If the Lord says the same I will” was tied to 2 important factors. It was tied to the 1) future and 2) God’s will. Lucille “Big Mama” Allen knew one thing. If we lived under God’s will, we had a better chance for the best future outcomes. She knew a spiritual presence insured a Godly viewpoint on life by dependence on God’s will and our ability to implement divine decision-making.
Lucille “Big Mama” Allen knew that God governs what we accomplish. Not only are our lives in his hands, our success is in his hands. “Some people use the shortness of life to reason not to act under God’s will. Big Mistake!
We are still in a state of turmoil as some pundits unravel years of social justice, destroy gains in voting opportunity and create revisionist history. I say to you, let us honor the truth of God in the way we think about our truth and the way we talk about the fullness of God. In closing, my question is, “Do you think you can choose to create a positive interaction for 30 days. My answer is “If the Lord says the same I will” Got a story to tell? Email me at terryallenpr@gmail.com
Terry Allen is an award-winning multi-media journalist and owner of 1016 media
