I was more interested in watching Leave It To Beaver than the evening news on our black & white TV as a young one. But the evening news on November 13, 1960 shook my parents to their core. They wouldn't allow me to attend my little elementary school the next day---I was home for a few days. Federal Courts had ordered Orleans Parish to design plans for desegregation. New Orleans chose to integrate a public school in the questionable Ninth Ward---Frantz Elementary. And a 6-year-old Negro, named Ruby Bridges, walked her pigtails into the history books while I shivered at home about the same age and for the same reasons---riots occurred all over our prejudiced city.
I grew up in fear within my house and beyond the white picket fence. I sat at Kress lunch counters in the "whites only" section. I never walked to the back of any bus. I only drank from water fountains or visited restrooms that were labeled "whites only." There were no Negros at my school, ever. We were of meager finances, but we had a Negro who ironed all of our clothes on Tuesdays. And that's where I sat behind closed doors, and a story of beauty begins. Maud loved me. I'd sit by her ironing board every week and she delighted me with her stories, her heart. The rhetoric all around me concerning Negros was frightening, appalling, shocking, confusing. Yet, Maud was a friend to this little pig-tailed girl from a decent parish. Why would the color of someone's skin evoke such hatred in New Orleans? People I knew really believed the Negro race was wicked and weaker. Oh my! The courage of African-Americans (no longer called Negros) like Ruby and Maud blended the color of the landscape in the 60's. And this little girl dealt over the next decade with her own heart of prejudice.
Do we see a clear call on our lives?
Do we know our whole duty?
"Fear God and Keep His Commandments." Eccl 12 - That's the end of the matter!
And what does He command but to love!
We see a call to serve in Acts 10:30 and it holds no prejudice. Peter responds to the Gentiles---a place where Jews did not go. I love that
Cornelius called up all his friends to join him in hearing God speak through Peter. Someone once said: "We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels alone." Matthew Henry. It is with great humility and kindness that Cornelius invites a roomful. Even if it is just one. And that's why I am so motivated and delighted to do this blog to join with you in this daily Divine Appointment. I sense a calling on my life to speak, whether it be to just one of you listening , or more. Acts 10:33 says: We are all here in the Presence of God to hear all that God has commanded. I am here because I know there is someone, every day, even if it is one, who comes here in the sight of God, to hear Him, draw near to Him. You are ready to hear what is commanded and that is beautiful to me (Psalm 50:2). And from the very first day that you set your minds to gain understanding, to humble yourself, your words have been heard, just like Cornelius'. (Daniel 10:12)
Fall on us, Holy Spirit.
Speak, for your servants listen under your Watchful Eye.
Thank you for hearing, how humbling.
I thank GOd that He minsters to and speaks to us right where we need it the most. Ecclesiastes was hard for me to read at this time in my life, and I feel bad about it, but then was reminded thru Peter and Cornelius that He meets me right where I am with grace, mercy and tenderness.
ReplyDeleteGod sees us all as equal. He sees no color, no different tongue...just the heart. The heart who goes after Him, who wants Him. He is not partial. It is us fleshly humans that are partial. On that final day, EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess that He is Lord. He only sees two types of people...the lost and the saved. May we all treat each other everywhere that same way. Being more concerned about what is in the heart than anything else about the person.
ReplyDeleteNise' - We struggle financially and we are at a critical juncture as I write so Ecclesiastes from a man who had everything (well, sort of) made me wonder about life. Can I just say to you that I am really sorry for what you are going through and while it is trite words to just say, "He knows," He does, He wills, He loves. We read not too long ago, "the heart knows its own bitterness," and how we got there. I thought I was doing well this week with the tremendous stress in my life until a simple sushi order melted me into a monster. My sin---No match for His Grace! So, I just want to say that you give me courage in my own pitiful state to keep on keeping on, cause you are! And you offer such a glad grace, a humble heart, to us h.e.r.e. Love & Gratitude! Bev
ReplyDeleteNise' - I write to you with a tear running down for "this time in your life."
ReplyDeleteAs I sit here, on my deck, looking at the dazzling lake, I think of you precious pearls and wish you could all be here with me... I pray for you Bev, and Nise. I don't know of your challenges, but I know the one who can turn all of the junk into precious gold. You are made for a time such as this. God allowed our lives to connect, what a blessing to share our thoughts, burdens and blessings.
ReplyDeleteMy story isn't much different than yours, Bev. Same separations that caused such fear of the unknown. My fourth grade class was "appointed" two beautiful girls from the other side of town. Cheryl and Pam, I still remember their names and their very different personalities. Pam became a friend of mine. Yet it was an uphill road for them. One tried to fit in, the other was ambivalent over the prejudices she'd suffered. Over skin color. And so silly, so tragic that it had to be hard.
ReplyDeleteFast forward to my college years, and I faced another unveiling of a prejudiced heart. Middle Eastern men and women were the majority in the business school at the U of H, and they did not like me. So I didn't like them. I didn't even try. I never thought of Pam. But I knew hatred from the outside and within. I hadn't learned the lessons of fourth grade. Blindness and hardened hearts still prevail where Love has not won yet. Jesus wins the Samaritan woman's heart at the well, Peter speaks to the Gentiles, both crossing invisible boundaries of separation, hatred, prejudice--but Love enters in. And all He sees are the same needy, hurting hearts. Help us to be transparent, to allow Love to heal those places, Lord. Amen.
I'd love to be sitting with you looking out at your lake. No wonder you paint!
ReplyDelete