Girl, we were THERE

at the ACT to End Racism Rally.

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I am fairly sure our presence there did not benefit anyone but ourselves.

But maybe that is the place to start?  With ourselves?  Making the world a better place by continually remaking kinder and more merciful versions of ourselves.  God’s Kingdom come, baby — it has to come through us, our words, our actions, because that is how God works.  To our eyes, slowly, painfully, inefficiently perhaps but that is Love for you.  Love draws people in and includes them when it is a thousand times easier to not do so.

Getting on a bus with a bunch of strangers to travel all night and stand in our capital city with other people of faith who also traveled from afar to say we care about justice and equity was important.  To say that when one of our brothers and sisters suffers, we all suffer.

Girl, I know people can be discouraging.  It is tough when those we love and respect make choices that are not loving or respectful to others.  I too have struggled with anger and frustration, but it has not overcome my hope, a hope that grows every time I pay attention to you, your sister and your brothers.  You will change the world darling.  You have the the moral conscience, the steely, stubborn backbone and the rebellious heart to do it.

Rebellion is often viewed negatively, particularly in churchspeak.  But I, your mama, say to you, “Rebel, Girl, rebel.”  Turn over those tables in the temple.  Rebel against any authority, especially church authority, that tries to tell you right is wrong and wrong is right.  Who support immoral leaders who prey on the weak.

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So what now?  What comes after this rally for us?

I’m not sure, but we’ll keep looking for opportunity to make good in this world.  Looking for the light in dark places.  Hint:  the light is often found in other people.   So is the dark.

You and me – we are full of light and dark, same as other people.  Our job is to look for that light in ourselves and shine it on our dark places.  Sometimes we need others to do it for us, and sometimes we must do that for others.  That part will be particularly unfun, but it is right.

And our faith requires it.