Ever heard that before?
I couldn’t find the exact origin of that popular saying, but I did find some rather interesting trivia. According to the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, President Truman had this sign on his desk throughout his presidency. And, it wasn’t just a desk decoration. On more than one occasion President Truman actually referred to the sign in public statements. He even included it in his farewell address to the American people in January 1953 saying, “The President–whoever he is–has to decide. He can’t pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That’s his job.”
Well, I just want you to know. The buck stops here, too. I have proof.
Yes. That’s me in all my glory. Sporting XL Real Tree AP camouflage coveralls, a red ski jacket, and some lovely James Avery hoop earrings… all at the wee … and might I add freezing cold … hour of the morning. And, caught in quite a compromising position. Seriously, is there anyone other than a momma who would do this?! Anything for my baby boy.
Before I tell you how all this early morning activity got me to thinking, you need to see the real picture of the buck. He was a beauty. And, yes, he’ll find his way to my living room wall, too. Guess it bears repeating. Anything for my baby boy.
So, like I said, all this buck business got me to thinking…
Did you know “The buck stops here” is actually biblical, too? Take a look at this:
“People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
Proverbs 28:13 NLT
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves
and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
1 John 1:8-9 NLT
Well, it’s not exactly “The buck stops here” word-for-word, but the message is the same. We are each accountable for our sin. We have to own them.
But, that’s not typically our style. We often try to pass the buck and the blame. Folks have been trying that for years…decades…centuries… heck, since the beginning of time. Eve tried to blame the snake. Adam tried to blame Eve.
And we’re no different. We try to blame society for our choices in clothing, entertainment, spending, and more. We try to blame fast food restaurants for our growing waistlines. We try to blame our friends for our gossiping. We try to blame our busy schedules for our lack of time spent with God. We try to blame… we try to blame. But, like President Truman said, “No one else can do the deciding for him.” The bottom line is our choices are OUR choices, and we will be held accountable for them.
Taking responsibility seems like a hard thing to do, but it’s really not… especially if we remember God’s promises to us… read the last part of those two verses again:
“… but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
“…But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just
to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
Praise God! The buck stops right where God’s grace begins.