Why Me Lord? (And Momma Said I Couldn’t Sing)

Some years ago, when my mother was living, my wife Susan and I were practicing to sing a duet at an upcoming meeting. When we announced to my mother that we were going to sing, my mother, without taking another breath said, “Ralph can’t sing!” There is nothing like a good confidence builder before going out on stage. Thanks Mom.It’s true, I don’t usually sing, but sometimes I step out in faith and perform a song I really like and that has a great message. This Thanksgiving day, I purchased the accompaniment music for Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me Lord.” The message of this song really hits home to me, probably to you too. Don’t we all wonder, at least at times, why the Lord chose us?

I remember, circa 1970, I was sitting in the waiting room of a Tacoma, Washington, Volkswagen dealership. I was waiting for my VW Bus to be serviced and I picked up a Reader’s Digest to read to fill the time. In that issue was an interview with Reverend Billy Graham.

In the interview, Rev. Graham was asked what was the first thing he would ask God when he got to heaven. His response was, “Why me Lord?” If Billy Graham is wondering why, I guess we are in good company.

I think we ask the question because we know that we are unlikely candidates. We all know we fall short. We sin. We fall. We blow it and we just don’t feel worthy. Well, we are not worthy. That is exactly what Grace is all about.

The chorus of the song “Why Me Lord” says it all:

Lord help me Jesus I’ve wasted it so
help me Jesus I know what I am
Now that I know that I needed you so
help me Jesus, my soul’s in your hands.