Racism?

Ahhh...racism.

Maybe you think I shouldn't be speaking about this or that my husband would be the better spokesman. Or maybe you think I shouldn't be speaking at all...there's enough negativity in the world and racism is just a made up problem that we should just sweep under the rug. Whatever you think...whether you think I should have an opinion or not...I'm tired of not saying anything at all.

If you know my family, you know we're the least pretentious people in the world. We take jokes really well...some would say too well...and we never really get offended. Despite our outward appearance, we know racism is alive and well and we are not naive enough to think we'll never encounter it. We never talk about how we will handle it, but we know at some point we'll come face to face with it and it's my prayer that our reaction is always Christ-like and loving.

I'm probably the most insecure person you might ever meet. I have had insecurities about my height, my weight, my looks, my accent, my skin color and everything in between. When I lived in Zambia, I would have given anything to be black (I still would... come on...GORGEOUS), but mostly I just wanted to fit in. What I didn't know is that God was preparing me for a lifetime of sticking out. Sometimes I think He made a mistake like when I'm lying awake at night and I find myself wondering why so-and-so is friendly to everyone around me but has never talked to my family, I question what God is trying to teach me. Maybe that I should focus on showing the love of Christ to others and living a life that is pleasing to Him instead of worrying if someone likes me or not based on who I married. Maybe that I need to learn not to assume. Maybe that I should find my worth in Him instead of the opinions of others.

But lets get back to rasicm. Or did I ever really get off topic? Isn't that what rasicm is...people trying to make others feel insecure about who they are. People saying you're not good enough because you aren't like me. People saying I'm better than you are. Well, I hate that! I hate that there are people in the world that can look at my family and think we are disgusting. I hate that there are people in the world that look on my children in disdain. I hate that there are people in the world that think they can say a snide comment or remark to my husband because of his outward appearance.

But, despite all of that, there is no excuse. No excuse for the ones with the rasicm in their heart and no excuse for those on the receiving end. We are called to love, not only the lovely, but everyone. And so my children will only ever be told that God made them who they are and He doesn't make mistakes. They will be told that they are beautiful. They will be told that status quo isn't good enough. They will be told that only they are responsible for their  actions. They will be told we will fight in their corner for truth, but it will be up to them to make sure they are worthy of the fight. They will be told that their skin isn't a license to do as they please with no thought of consequence.

But why? Why this fight? Why this train of thought? Because it's getting in the way. Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are PRECIOUS in His sight. Racism gets in the way. Because if we're talking about it, we can't talk about Jesus. If we're talking about it, we can't talk about God's goodness and grace.

It's not good enough that my children can be incubated from it for only a little while longer. It's not good enough that today we avoided it. It will only be good enough when it's gone.

Until then, search your heart. Can you show the true love of Christ? It's not just about black and white. Do you have a problem with someone? Do you think you're better than the next person? Do you assume people treat you unfairly and  use that as an excuse to hold a grudge? Because Jesus can't shine bright in your life if you don't love like He did.