Today’s post is the third in a listening series, where I get the amazing opportunity to amplify the voices of my black and African brothers and sisters. Read the first post, “A Common Enemy,” here, and the second post, “Coming to America,” here. Each post will demonstrate an array of viewpoints that will help us be in true community.

This one is written by my sister in Christ Francella Brown, who I had the pleasure of meeting last summer in Canada. She shared this beautiful post to her Facebook page and has graciously allowed me to share it on the blog here. Let us all aspire for this friendship with our black brothers and sisters. Francella has also spoken about the current events on different webinars and podcasts.

by Francella Brown

To my friends. My sweet friends.

Dry your eyes. Lift your chin. Fix your face. Shake your guilt.

Thank you for thinking about me and asking if I’m ok.

But why the guilt in your voice? Haven’t you always loved me? Haven’t you always supported me? Haven’t you always fed me? Haven’t you always treated me with respect? Haven’t you always called me your sister and loved me as such? Who convinced you that this isnt true?

Not God. Not me.

Sweet friends. Dry your eyes. Lift your chin. Fix your face. Shake your guilt.

Who lied to you and told you that you were the problem? Who’s bullying you into posting hashtags and shouting slogans? Who’s trying to make you repent of sins you’ve never committed?

Not God. Not me.

Sweet friends. Dry your eyes. Lift your chin. Fix your face. Shake your guilt.

Who’s guilt tripping you into making public declarations of where your loyalties lie, as if your life isn’t declaration enough? Who’s convincing you that you’re someone you’re not?

Have you not always practiced love? Have you not always set the standard? Have you not always been you? Who dares to dispute that?

Not God. Not me.

Sweet friends. We wouldn’t be friends if these things weren’t true.

And there wouldn’t be a single problem in the world if everyone was like you.

So when you call me and ask me, ‘What should I do?’

The answer is simple: Keep being you.

Dear friends,
I’m ok.
Are you ok, too?

Francella Brown is a former consecrated sister, fellow co-heir in Christ and friend.

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Read Putting Joy into Practice: Seven Ways to Lift Your Spirit from the Early Church.