Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” James 2:4

For the past several years I have worked toward writing my memoirs. I would like to share one such memory with you. When I am finished I will invite you to a much-needed conversation.

In the summer of 1958 my family arrived at our annual camp meeting in Anderson, IN. My two brothers and me were playing in an open field across the street. Mom sat on a bench and read while we played. We noticed a black boy and his little sister were watching. We needed a fourth player so we asked if he would like to play. The boy, we’ll call him Ben, hopped up off the ground and joined in. We had a great time. His sister sat by herself until Mom invited her to sit with her on the bench.

We began to notice a black woman hiding and watching from between cars. When Ben noticed her, he stopped and ran to her. Yes, it was his mother. He took her hand, walked her to my Mom and introduced her. The two mothers talked, while we continued to play. Ben’s mother was uncomfortable sitting on the bench with a white woman so she and Mom stood to talk.

Time flew, and lunchtime arrived. My parents were forever packing a picnic lunch, usually fried chicken and pimento cheese sandwiches. Mom invited Ben’s family to eat lunch with us. His mother was reluctant at first, but after mom assured her we had plenty, she gave in and joined us. We enjoyed our picnic but could only wonder why Ben’s mother was constantly looking around while we ate. She seemed nervous and to be watching for someone. After lunch, Ben and his family left and we never saw them again. We looked for them, but never found them. We assumed they went home.I tell you this story because, at the age of eight, I believe this to be my first encounter with how different we are. I did not understand what black families went through back in the 1950’s. A “racial divide” kept me away from black children. The animosity of whites towards black could even be felt at a camp meeting where our whole purpose was to worship a loving God. I am sure the family went home because of the overwhelming impression of being unwelcome. I look back at how unusual it was for this playful event to have happened in this era. How uneasy the mother of these two children must have felt. How composed and stress-free it was for Mom to invite them, because her white world was protected, is compared with the protection Ben’s mother wanted to provide, and yet gave in to an invitation. As a Christian she knew it was the right thing to do. There responsibility of protecting her family was foremost in her mind. No wonder she was looking around. Society had taught her to fear the repercussions of white people. She worried about the wrong person seeing them playing, talking and even eating with a white family. Worried about danger stirring among those who may have despised her simply because of who she was, who her children were. When I see this anger and frustration vented today, I remember this encounter. I see a young Ben playing with us. I see his mother watching and alert while still allowing us to play.

When I recall this occasion I am struck by what I see today. No wonder Black people are angry. No wonder there is a growing hatred. No wonder we see a cultivation of divisiveness nurturing our society. Satan is excited! Two people with different pigmentation cannot get along because the hatred they have been taught separates them. You and I are different from the rest of the world. We have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We can sit and talk, and respect each other, because the One we love and follow provides the grace for us to do so. But, we have to want to. The world around us doesn’t know Him. Their lives cannot change because there is no one who will help them to recognize what is causing this hostility and conceive that it will destroy all of us.

As believers in the One True God we cannot sit idly by and do nothing. I did not understand what black families went through in 1958. I can’t pretend that I know in 2022. I realize that most children are colorblind. But I ask you, where and when did this stop? How can we get back to being colorblind of race and live for the purpose of unity in Christ body and the sharing of His message of salvation, which will unify us all? We can look at this memoir and say, “Well, this was an encounter of children. They don’t understand.” I ask, “Understand what? That we can’t get along the way children seem to? You are right, children have not developed a racially charged worldview at this point and therefore are willing to play together because they have the same purpose.

Why would Jesus tell his disciples who pushed children away, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God? (Luke 18:16) Jesus saw division coming. “He took the irresistible opportunity of lowering their (the disciples) pride of reason by informing them that, in order to enter the Kingdom, . . . instead of the children first becoming like them, they must themselves become like the children” [Richter in Stier]. This does not mean we are to be childish. This simply means we need to consider our pride and our humility in accepting others for who they are. Christ said, Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. (Mark 10:15)

Have we become judges with evil thoughts (James 2:4) by making distinctions about others, even before we talk to them? Do you not realize we are God’s gift to each other? And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 12:24-25)

I wonder if our world today can heal? Are we as capable as our children, of sharing the same purpose? In Christ, I believe it can happen. Like this young Black family of the 1950’s they were willing to join my family for an unforgettable day. I have often wondered if the impression left on me, after all these years, lingers with Ben, now a grown man. We both learned that we are capable of living together in unity, sharing a glorious life in Christ.

Whether black or white, or another race, now is the time to lay all racial animosity and ill-will aside and love one another as Jesus commanded us to do in John 13:34-35,

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay