In 2008, I went to a tech conference in Greenville, SC. It was right after President Obama was elected, and I was really looking forward to the time away from working with my parents to care for my brother, who had a stroke. The hotel room, located right across the street from the conference, was lovely and the food was wonderful. Excited, I arrived early for the tech conference. 
Attendees arrived one-by-one, and it didn’t take long to notice that I was the only black person in the room. That was not a problem for me, but what was noticeable is that no one wanted to talk to me.
Of course, I considered this a minor set-back, a challenge even, and decided “Well, you might have a problem talking to me, but I sure don’t have a problem talking to you!” So I made it a point to genuinely smile (by the grace of God), and start-up conversations with several white male attendees who looked like they desperately wanted to run away (haha!). Everyone complained about the newly elected black President. Eventually one other black woman came. Even though she knew the local rainmaker, she looked very shy and uncomfortable, and did not engage in conversation.
The situation was toxic, and what made it so sad is that I doubt if many people could actually see the truth of what was going on. When it came time to shake hands with one of our SC congressmen, I did like my Daddy told me. I looked him square in his eyes, firmly grasped his hand, and gave it a “Gunny Lights” hand shake as I asked my question. Well, he turned red as a beet, and started to choke! That’s right. He started to seriously choke. I thought I had to do a Heimlich maneuver right then and there! I offered to help him, but he declined any assistance from me. His assistant ran to get him some water. Awkwardly, he survived.
I am sharing this story because it is a stark contrast to how the Lord says we are supposed to treat people. It is an anti-example of the word for today, which is, #welcome:
So welcome each other, just as the Messiah has welcomed you into God’s glory. Romans 15:7 CJB
The next time you encounter someone who is different from you, or the next time you look around and notice that you’re the different fish in the pond, be encouraged. The knee jerk response to turn away isn’t always appropriate. Ask the Lord to give you strength and direction to extend a welcome hand and a smile.
Until next time, “be strong in the Lord and the power of His might!”
Your friend in Christ,
Verneda
© 2014 Verneda Lights
