What can I say?
The last few weeks have been so emotional and disheartening to say the least, but what can I say? I have been heartbroken by the state of our country, proud of the change I am starting to see, exhausted by the fightings, terrified of the rioting, and sad for the lack of leadership. But what can I say?
I am a white woman who grew up very blessed. I have two parents who are still married to each other after almost 54 years together. They love God first and foremost, each other, and their children and grandchild. My aunts, uncles, and cousins are some of my favorite people and love me. I never had to worry about being hungry, having clean clothes to wear, a house over my head, a pillow and bed to lay on each night. We went on family vacations, camping, played games together, and enjoyed each other (well... mostly ;)). I didn’t have to worry about anything, really.
In college, I had to worry a little because I am a woman and walking around campus at night was a little scary. I learned how to carry my keys and hold on to my belongings, but knew once I was in my car, I was safe. I didn’t have to wonder if I would be pulled over for breaking curfew in my town, I didn’t have to worry about what could happen.
I think about conversations I have had in the last year with some friends and realize, my childhood and young adulthood, and even now are so completely different from anything they experience just because their shade of melatonin is slightly different from mine. What they have to wonder, worry, act, and do is so much more than I have ever had to think about. Thinking 5 steps ahead because of what could happen is not something that is ingrained in me. Because it never had to be.
I think about how we in America have a picture of Jesus that is light skinned. If He grew up in the Middle East, His skin was not like mine at all. So how can we, as Christians, fight with each other about All Lives Matter vs Black Lives Matter? Folks, let’s face it. Jesus was not a white man who came to save all white people. He was a dark skinned man coming to save His people and extended grace to all people. It was His people first. They had the greatest need. Isn’t that the basis behind Black Lives Matter? Right now, in this country, we need to stand together because they have the greatest need of protection, and saving. They need our voices with theirs. They need us to listen and acknowledge the years of discrimination against them. They need our support to fight this fight that isn’t going to be over any time soon.
But right now, I have hope. I see all of the peaceful protests in my city and all around the world. I see people coming together in unity because we are all human. It’s not that I think no one else matters, it’s that they are the ones in trouble. Don’t we need to help those in trouble?
Do I know what to do or how to do it? No. Do I feel helpless and like my voice doesn’t matter? Yes. Am I able to take small steps to change my thinking and how I respond to situations? Yes. Does this mean I don’t support police? No.
What this means is that I see a hurting group. I think of the kids I used to teach and how I was afraid to send some of them home because then they weren’t as safe as they were in my classroom. I think about friends that are cops putting their lives on the line and do so with grace and humility. I think about how there are some bad people in every job. There were people who should never have taught kids, there are people that should never have been in a position of leadership, there are some people who shouldn’t be pastors. It doesn’t mean that every teacher, leader, pastor is evil. It means that we are a sin sick world. It means that more than ever, we need a Savior. It means that we must go to the one that is hurting and leave the 99 who are safe. That parable has been resonating with me lately. The shepherd made sure the 99 were safe and went after the one who wasn’t. It doesn’t mean he didn’t care for the 99, it means, he knew the one was in trouble.
So... what is our response as Christians? We are called to go and tell the world that there is a better way. We are called to show them the hope that we have in Christ. We are called to serve. I am not sure exactly what I am supposed to do or how I do it, but I know I can’t sit back and wait for other people to do it. Change is slow, but change can start with me.
I have a book of quotes by Mr. Rogers, and have been reading them. He was a man of God who loved children and wanted only what was best for them. He saw each person as a unique individual and one of my favorites, and timely for today’s world, is this. “The purpose of life is to listen-to yourself, to your neighbor, to your world and to God and, when the time comes, to respond in as helpful way as you can find...from within and without”.
I am a white woman who grew up very blessed. I have two parents who are still married to each other after almost 54 years together. They love God first and foremost, each other, and their children and grandchild. My aunts, uncles, and cousins are some of my favorite people and love me. I never had to worry about being hungry, having clean clothes to wear, a house over my head, a pillow and bed to lay on each night. We went on family vacations, camping, played games together, and enjoyed each other (well... mostly ;)). I didn’t have to worry about anything, really.
In college, I had to worry a little because I am a woman and walking around campus at night was a little scary. I learned how to carry my keys and hold on to my belongings, but knew once I was in my car, I was safe. I didn’t have to wonder if I would be pulled over for breaking curfew in my town, I didn’t have to worry about what could happen.
I think about conversations I have had in the last year with some friends and realize, my childhood and young adulthood, and even now are so completely different from anything they experience just because their shade of melatonin is slightly different from mine. What they have to wonder, worry, act, and do is so much more than I have ever had to think about. Thinking 5 steps ahead because of what could happen is not something that is ingrained in me. Because it never had to be.
I think about how we in America have a picture of Jesus that is light skinned. If He grew up in the Middle East, His skin was not like mine at all. So how can we, as Christians, fight with each other about All Lives Matter vs Black Lives Matter? Folks, let’s face it. Jesus was not a white man who came to save all white people. He was a dark skinned man coming to save His people and extended grace to all people. It was His people first. They had the greatest need. Isn’t that the basis behind Black Lives Matter? Right now, in this country, we need to stand together because they have the greatest need of protection, and saving. They need our voices with theirs. They need us to listen and acknowledge the years of discrimination against them. They need our support to fight this fight that isn’t going to be over any time soon.
But right now, I have hope. I see all of the peaceful protests in my city and all around the world. I see people coming together in unity because we are all human. It’s not that I think no one else matters, it’s that they are the ones in trouble. Don’t we need to help those in trouble?
Do I know what to do or how to do it? No. Do I feel helpless and like my voice doesn’t matter? Yes. Am I able to take small steps to change my thinking and how I respond to situations? Yes. Does this mean I don’t support police? No.
What this means is that I see a hurting group. I think of the kids I used to teach and how I was afraid to send some of them home because then they weren’t as safe as they were in my classroom. I think about friends that are cops putting their lives on the line and do so with grace and humility. I think about how there are some bad people in every job. There were people who should never have taught kids, there are people that should never have been in a position of leadership, there are some people who shouldn’t be pastors. It doesn’t mean that every teacher, leader, pastor is evil. It means that we are a sin sick world. It means that more than ever, we need a Savior. It means that we must go to the one that is hurting and leave the 99 who are safe. That parable has been resonating with me lately. The shepherd made sure the 99 were safe and went after the one who wasn’t. It doesn’t mean he didn’t care for the 99, it means, he knew the one was in trouble.
So... what is our response as Christians? We are called to go and tell the world that there is a better way. We are called to show them the hope that we have in Christ. We are called to serve. I am not sure exactly what I am supposed to do or how I do it, but I know I can’t sit back and wait for other people to do it. Change is slow, but change can start with me.
I have a book of quotes by Mr. Rogers, and have been reading them. He was a man of God who loved children and wanted only what was best for them. He saw each person as a unique individual and one of my favorites, and timely for today’s world, is this. “The purpose of life is to listen-to yourself, to your neighbor, to your world and to God and, when the time comes, to respond in as helpful way as you can find...from within and without”.
Comments
Post a Comment