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I saw the frantic look on her black face, but for some reason, her plight did not connect with me. At 20, I suffered the indifference of young people. I really did not give it a second thought when I walked away and went into the theater until she met me in the parking lot angry.
It was the late 1980s in Columbia, SC. I attended a movie with my friend from college, Iris. The woman wanted us to open the door and let her in. She had gone back to the car and gotten locked out of the theater. Her face in agony, she approached me angrily. “I did not want to believe people in the South were so racist, but you showed me it is true. You judged me and would not help.”
I look back on that day though and wished I had opened the door or maybe notified a worker about the lady. I look at my heart and wonder would I have opened the door if she had been white? I can’t say with certainty that my actions would have been different.
If I could meet that woman again today, I would apologize. I defended myself and did not take time to listen to her anguish and her feelings of isolation and being oppressed. I apologize to her. I did not show her the love of Christ at that moment.
I walked through a season of waiting for the last four months as our nation faced great upheaval and a pandemic. This week is the first #LMMLinkup in a while so I will forgo the “Most Clicked” and my “Favorite Post” just for this week.
Thank you. everyone. for your kind words as I begin to blog again.
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It’s good to see you back, Mary. I read your earlier post. If I were taking care of my grandson during the day, I’m sure I would not have had time for blogging, either. I’m glad you were available for your grandchildren. Families definitely come before blogs.
As I grew up, we weren’t segregated, but we weren’t really integrated, either. I regret that now. I didn’t think much about race then. As Michele said, I think many of us are coming from behind on these issues and have a lot of catching up to do.
Barbara Harper recently posted…Stray thoughts about racism
I am thrilled you are back. Thank you for sharing your story. I agree we need to stop and listen more and show God’s love to everyone.
Maree Dee recently posted…The Most Popular Post in May 2020 | Grace & Truth Link-Up
Mary!
I popped in here this morning, hoping there would be a word of update on your life, and here you were! I think a lot of us have missed the boat earlier in our adult lives, and racial reconciliation issues are hitting us now in the midst of so much violence and strong emotion. It’s our job now to sort through all that ‘s worthless and find the truth that we are God’s, and we are called to love the uniqueness he has built into this world “and all who dwell therein.”
SO good to hear from you!
Michele Morin recently posted…Get Used to the Idea of Abundance
Michele,
Thanks so much for your support. I appreciate your comment.
Mary
Mary Hill recently posted…#LMMLinkup: An Apology for Not Showing Love of Christ