As a mama, we discuss issues like “consequences” today. In light of what happened in our nation on January 6th, 2021, we saw Donald Trump lead many from November Election up until that day in questioning the voting process. Terms like “Stealing” and calls for rising up and fighting back…stirred dissension for a system in place for many presidencies spread causing many of his followers to revolt to a fair election.
I asked my daughters if someone did something wrong, can and should they be able to walk away from it and say, I am not in that role anymore?
If someone isn’t sorry for what they have done, does that mean they didn’t do it? Each of my daughters gave me strong responses. Justice-oriented and fair they said it isn’t right for him to lead that way as a president then say “I’m not president anymore, I can’t get in trouble.” What are we teaching our children when we don’t have integrity, ethics and accountability? The consequences of actions in past will follow us today… you and I know this very well…
Out of the mouth of babes…even unto this day… the nation of America had placed many systems that left Blacks oppressed. When fresh out of slavery, no provision was granted to these men and women whose lives were in the hands of “owners”…they were then left to be bought back into a different kind of slavery. I can’t even…
Here we are after slavery had been abolished for a couple hundred years still seeing the result of systems left unaddressed. Generations left without moving towards wholeness and healing, I grieve with the black community. However, I could not truly understand what the black families have gone through. *As a non-black, my mind begins to race and wander… Where does a free slave go? How do they live, where is there home, how to they achieve sustainability… Who helped them?! What system was set in place to say “you’re no longer a slave, I have bought you off the platform and set you up to receive such inheritances…” Only in the Bible do we see redemption… Jews and Gentiles, we were redeemed, but did America show redemption to Blacks? I ask you… how did blacks get set up for success and sustainable living right after freedom from legal slavery? Consequences of hundreds of years ago still follow us today… America knows this… All nations know this…
As a representative of the church, I am committing myself to study and learn of Black History this month and rise up to share the good news that Jesus came for all. The gospel was meant for all people. All people are created in the image of God regardless of skin color. I will not stand for partiality as I can do my best to say … no, you don’t get better treatment just because you are white and have money. All people get to be held responsible.
We now repent and say, Lord, we are sorry, as a nation… we have done wrong to our brothers and sisters. I can’t believe there was a time when you could not sit in any seat on the bus because your skin was black. I know this is hard for my children to learn, but learn they shall. We will commit ourselves to love others no matter their skin color.
As I wrap up, I’d like to share two resources. PBSKIDS.ORG has an app and you can watch Black History Month videos –perfect for elementary ages K-3. Please share with the kids in your life with their parents’ permission. This is necessary!
Second: I am reading Jon Meacham’s “His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope.”
Let’s pray: God, we thank you for the opportunity to learn about the history of our nation. We also want to ask forgive for such laws and rules that placed our black brothers and sisters and their families under oppression. We especially grieve for when the church took part in evils. We ask for forgiveness and ask that you’d help to break generational sins. Racism and partiality is a sin. Teach us to be more like Christ that we can “put on the mind of Christ” as believers and love others as ourselves. We ask that you’d help us to love you with our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths and love others as we love ourselves. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Abundant Mommyhood 