I had been living in a proverbial bubble as most of us have in the last few months. My only concern had been the safety of my family, avoiding large crowds, timing my Wal Mart pick up, and doing my best to do my job remotely while caring for my two boys. And as much as it pains me to write this, I had not been paying much attention to recent news. I had shut the news off some weeks ago because I had grown tired of the COVID-19 rhetoric.

Just a few days ago, I had started a devotion about being brave. I had started it as a way to be encouraging to friends about some challenges they were facing but little did I know, God had other plans.

Fast forward to yesterday. I had a friend share with me some things that were troubling her in light of the George Floyd situation. Her heart for people and this community is awe inspiring. I realized that in our conversation I had been tone deaf to what all was going around me. I couldn’t see past the sticky layers of my bubble I had placed between the world and me. I realized, too, that the devotion I had chosen was much more for me than what I thought originally.

I am a 34 -year old white woman living in rural Alabama. In fact, I live in the same home town I was raised in. I left for a stint to attend the University of Alabama and returned some years later to be close to family. I married a white man, also from this same town and we are raising two white boys. We go to a prominently white church. We live in a white neighborhood. I went to a public school and attended both a white prom and the school prom.

I will be the first to admit that I don’t know what it means to be afraid of a police officer or for my child’s life. I do, however, understand what it means to be a mother, and losing a child is something no one should ever have to endure. My momma heart does not want anyone to lose their life or be afraid. It is my instinct to protect.

I also don’t know what it means for people to be afraid of me because of my appearance. In fact, I naturally want people to feel comfortable when we first meet.

I also don’t know what it means to work at a job where people may fear me because of the atrocious actions of others in my chosen profession.

I have to admit that I don’t understand why people are rioting and looting but I have not been in their shoes. Just as others may not understand some of things I do because they’ve not been in a pair of mine. Instead of sitting back and each of us judging each other- let’s find a way to come together. Discuss differences peacefully. Let’s take time to actually get to know each other – from the inside out. Let’s break bread together. Let’s visit each other’s churches. Let’s be each other’s cheerleaders. Let’s be together.

From that conversation with my friend, I realized a mirror was being placed in front of me, causing me to look within. How long would I continue to be safe and be silent. By not saying anything, are we perpetuating the problem? My favorite bible verse from Hebrews 13:2-3 states:

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! ³ Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

I do know that I will listen and learn. I will continue to learn from others and respect our differences. I will seek situations that take me out of my comfort zone. I will continue to raise my children to not judge others and treat everyone with kindness and respect. I will let people know that I do not stand for the mistreatment and injustice of ALL people.

As cliché as it sounds the world is not black and white so why are we trying to make it that way? Let’s appreciate it for what it is -a beautiful array of colors that separately are just one color but together make a beautiful rainbow, a symbol of God’s promise.