Telling Stories

Dear soul-traveling-on-a-beam-of-light:

I look forward to the day I can tell you stories of Robin Hood, of Cinderella, of King Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere.

Then again there are going to be stories that I don't want to tell you but you will need to hear. Because you are being borne into a world of Harry Potters and Trayvon Martins.

Last night, a jury in Florida acquitted the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin. I won't mention the man's name because, as in all fairy tales, stating someone's name gives them a certain power -- and this man who shot Trayvon was a sad, scared person who wanted to be a cowboy, a tough guy, someone with power.

While I pray that in my lifetime we might eradicate the racism that causes men like this young man's killer, God works in mysterious ways and it probably won't happen in mine, but perhaps in yours.

In our language, we have a phrase "Telling stories..." that often means something is made up or untrue.

One of the things I hope I can show you is that telling stories is one of the most important things we can do. What made this teenager's killer afraid was that he imagined his own story about Trayvon; but the truth is: he didn't know him at all. He imagined a story of criminals and bad people because Trayvon's skin was a darker color than his. (You will find there are some pretty silly, stupid things in this world (but there are far more beautiful, wonderful things so please keep coming.))

My prayer for you today is that when you find yourself scared (and I know you will, because fear often comes along when we're moving into new places and I want you to be a lover of new places and new people) -- I pray that you will take a deep breath and look with your eyes, listen with your ears, smell with that beautiful nose of yours, taste and touch if you think that will help, but then ask your heart what to do, because your heart will be where you can find Compassion and Love.

And after you take that breath, decide whether you need to run, to stay put, or more often than not, ask the stranger you encounter: What is your name?