That’s What Love Does

Here I am staring at my screen and my keyboard, trying to come up with something that makes sense of everything, trying to come up with some words that make things better in some way, yet the words are very slow in coming. The fact is, I don’t know what to say. What happened to George Floyd was horrific. It was abusive, brutal, cruel, and, in my opinion, it was murder. However, does stating the obvious do anything to make things better? Do I want to see justice done to the police officer who abused his power and George Floyd? Absolutely! Do I want to see justice done to the officers who stood idly by and watched the whole thing without lifting a finger? Absolutely! Unfortunately, the wheels of justice often turn slowly, and sometimes they do not turn at all.

But what can “I” do? What can “you” do? Is there anything at all that we can do? As I prayed about our country this morning, the Holy Spirit brought some things to mind.

It was right around the turn of the century when I found myself performing at an elementary school in Corsicana, TX. As a professional school speaker and entertainer, I would hook the kids’ attention with yo-yo tricks, storytelling, magic, balloon art, and a whole lot of humor and playful banter. In the meantime I would also be both encouraging and challenging them with an academic and character message. After the show, the kids would then be able to purchase a yo-yo if they wished, though they were never pressured to buy one. The show was generally very well received. However, on occasion there were those who impugned my motives and this created some tension.

Now let me explain the area of Corsicana that I was in that particular morning for this particular show. It was smack dab in the middle of project housing. In other words, it was a very poor area. Also, the school was predominantly African-American. Now let me be clear, I did not think of myself as being the “odd man out” because I’m white, though I was aware that I could experience some racial tension that day. Still, kids are kids no matter what color they are, and people are people; every single one of us special to God and created in His image. I wanted to be there and I felt like I was supposed to be there.

I took the job as a speaker/entertainer because I love kids (I LOVE PEOPLE!) and I wanted to make a difference wherever I performed. While I couldn’t talk about Jesus within public schools, I knew that I could be a representative of Christ to the kids and teachers at each one. In other words, I could let Jesus love them through me. During my time as a yo-yo man I performed at around 3,500 schools for over one million kids and before every single assembly I would pray that God would give me favor at each school, that He would help me to single out (in a good and positive way) those kids that needed an extra special touch of His love and encouragement, and that He would help me bump people closer to Jesus.

As I started the show in Corsicana that morning, I spied one particular teacher near the front who was obviously not thrilled with me being there. Her body language seemed to convey, “Why is this white cracker here wasting valuable education time and exploiting our poor kids?” Of course, I don’t know what she was actually thinking. However, it was clear that she did not like me nor want me there. So there she sat with her arms crossed, frowning, and determined to not enjoy the show.

So what did I do? Did I ignore her? Nope? In fact, I focused on her. Not by addressing her, but by praying for her under my breath and in my mind as I performed. I refused to just endure this moment. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference. I prayed that God would crack that hard shell around her heart and give me favor with her. I prayed that He would open her eyes that she might see that I too loved her kids. I prayed that God would destroy the hate and distrust that divided us. I prayed that God could even heal her heart and use me to do it. And God answered my prayer! In fact, right now it’s bringing tears to my eyes as I vividly recall the memory of her as she dropped her guard.

I had invited a child on stage with me, and as I playfully bantered back and forth with him and then presented him with a ridiculous looking balloon hat, the dam of distrust broke wide open in this teacher’s heart as she threw her arms wide open and laughed enthusiastically. Gotcha!

After the show, many of the kids thanked me for coming as was the custom. Sometimes teachers did so as well, though most were busy managing their students and trying to get them back to class in an orderly manner. On this particular day, one teacher made sure to tell me, “Thank you.” Yep, it was her, because that’s what love and prayer does! They move the immovable. In fact, I hope that one day I will get to see this wonderful lady on the other side of eternity and that we will get to laugh and reminisce together about that day we met so many years ago. I hope for this because I prayed for her soul that day too.

If we want to see change in our country (and I sure do!) it begins with the people of God, not stepping up on soapboxes, but praying, being real, and loving everyone (regardless of their color) that God puts in our path. Step one is PRAY!

Mel