BY: Terry Allen
Big Mama used to say, “Baby, you can pray for a harvest, but eventually you have to pick up a hoe and work the field.” She understood what James 2:26 teaches us: “Faith without works is dead.”
Lucille “Big Mama” Allen (1906–2003) was the beloved grandmother and spiritual foundation of Dr. Terry Allen. Her wisdom, faith, humor and no-nonsense life lessons continue through this Big Mama Said column. Her legacy reminds us that faith must be lived, promises must be proven, and purpose requires action.
That scripture applies beyond the church house. It belongs in the statehouse, the courthouse, city hall and every place where people are entrusted with power.
Our current political climate is crowded with people who have learned how to make promises but have not learned how to produce results. Too many people are being appointed or elected because of loyalty, connections and political convenience—not because they possess the character, competence or skill set to serve. Loyalty may get you through the door, but it cannot make you qualified to lead once you enter the room.
We hear speeches about justice, opportunity, public safety, education and economic development. But words without measurable work are just political noise. A campaign slogan cannot feed a family. A press conference cannot repair a failing school. A social-media post cannot replace a plan. And blaming the other side does not excuse anyone from doing the job they accepted.
Big Mama believed that your work should testify for you. She would say, “Don’t tell me what you are going to do—show me what you have done.” Public officials should be judged by their preparation, performance and impact, not by party loyalty, personal relationships or polished promises.
The same accountability applies to us. We must stop comparing ourselves to other people, because comparison distracts us from our own assignment. We must practice forgiveness immediately, because carrying bitterness consumes the energy needed to build. We must focus on our wins instead of allowing our losses to define us. Most importantly, we must discover the purpose God placed inside us and put that purpose to work.
The men who cook beside me through City Men Cook are living examples of faith and works—turning their love for family, community and purpose into service people can see, feel and receive.
Faith gives us vision, but work gives that vision evidence. Prayer gives us strength, but action gives our prayers movement. We cannot keep asking God to change our communities while refusing to vote, organize, mentor, serve and hold leaders accountable.
Big Mama’s message is simple: Stop rewarding promises without performance. Stop confusing loyalty with leadership. And stop calling it faith when nobody is willing to do the work.
Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and – Vice President at FocusPR, founder of the charity City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
