The last couple of days have been difficult for many of us and I️ have been silent…not out of complicity…but rather to slowly process and take in the recent racism occurrences. To be honest with you, my emotions have run the gambit and I️ don’t have the right words to say. Nor can I fully comprehend or relate to how much my black brothers and sisters are grieving. However, I️ will speak into this issue as best I️ can.
As a nation, tensions run high.
And opinions are varied.
But this I️ will say as an adopted mom of a black child…
I️ was naive regarding the depth of racism existing in our American culture. I️ feel like my hubs and I️ did a lot of work preparing for our son to come home. Our adoption journey took 2 1/2 years and we read books, watched videos, talked to other adoptive parents, and worked hard to learn how to bond. However, in all of our preparedness, no one warned us about racism.
I️ had no idea how others felt toward our fellow humans with a different color of skin. Falsely, I assumed we were better than that. After all, I live in Austin who proudly bears the slogan “Keep Austin Weird”. As such, it seems like a town that would accept and be tolerant of others regardless of race, ethnicity, hair color, tattoos, and the like. Unfortunately, I️ was rudely awakened to reality when our son entered kindergarten. He was called bad names and told to do bad things. Over the course of a few years, he has experienced many racial encounters.
One is one too many.
However, we already have a playlist of many wrongs going around and around in our heads. Even worse, the wrongs occurred child-to-child, revealing the depths of our systemic racism. One way or another racism is being either caught or taught at a very young age. All that to say, as I️ hear many of you growing weary of the protests, I️ want you to know that racism is real. And it hurts. So please don’t grow hard-hearted, but rather LISTEN.
Possibly the first step towards racial reconciliation is to admit that we’ve done wrong. It will be difficult for us with different perspectives to truly grasp or understand and for that reason, I️ simply ask that we step into each others’ shoes. What does it feel like to be the outcast? downtrodden? unseen and unknown? How does it feel to be left out? and alone?
Jesus taught us to lean into the hard.
Healing can occur if we are willing to take a step forward. Rather than running towards indifference and comfort, take the risk to truly love. Love conquers hatred and judgment. In Luke 10:27 we are commanded to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Don’t shy away from asking the tough question, “What does it look like to truly love?”
In the same text, Jesus continues to explain that our neighbor does not look like us. Known as The Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus encourages us to LOOK for opportunities to do good. Breaking down the walls of racism, Jesus tells us to cross the road. We are to keep our eyes open for the opportunity to help. After all, as believers, we are called to be like Christ Himself.
Look to do good.
Be aware of what is going on around you. If your brother or sister is hurting, cross the road to come to their aid. Don’t turn away with a blind eye. Instead, do the right thing…OBEY.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. Luke 10:33
Obedience isn’t always easy. We can fight it with our stubbornness and sinful desires. Make excuses for why we have something better to do. Explain that it is somebody else’s job. Neglect to do the right thing because we don’t want to step on toes.
Or, we can obey.
I️ believe each of us has a role to play in the healing of our nation and it begins with prayer. Let’s begin there and challenge each other to ask God what He would have us do. What role can you play to put an end to racism?
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14
Please share this post with someone. We have a hurting world out there and it is time for us to step up and beg God to heal our land.