Ugly

Today, I saw ugliness on the face of a woman.  To be clear, this was not an ugly woman.  It was a pretty woman with ugliness on her face.  In her eyes.  And you know what they say about the eyes being a window to the soul.

I saw her before she saw me.  I was walking in her direction.  She was sitting a ways off in a public place.

I had just passed a group of young men who were headed in the opposite direction that I was.  These guys were clearly friends, maybe brothers.  They were young adults, none appearing more than say about 25.  They were talking amongst themselves.  Not loudly.  They were headed somewhere, and moving with purpose toward their destination.  There was nothing about their behavior that made them stand out.  They weren't being loud or obnoxious.  They weren't running or pushing or shoving.  Just talking.  And walking.  In a public place.  Together. 

As the guys and I passed each other, the woman with ugliness on her face came into my line of sight.  I was taken aback at this woman's hateful, disgusted, disdainful expression.  Directed at the group of young men.  As the men made their way up the stairs, and out of both of our lines of sight, the woman and I made eye contact.  And I watched as if she said "oh crap, that's not right and I know it, and I've been caught" and it was like she flipped a switch and she put on the pleasant smile greeter face mask. I watched her face change in that instant.

She smiled at me.   And then I was out the door, past her and on to my next destination.

This all took place in under a minute.  I have not stopped thinking about it since it happened.  It hurt my heart and made me sad.  And then it made me mad.  But that's another post.  

You can not tell me that racism is a thing of the past.  I saw it today. 

Lord, I pray for this woman.  I pray that you work on her heart.  I pray that you continue to fill the world with your love so that this ugliness can be overcome.  That's the only way it will be, Lord.  Through your love and your sacrifice, your mercy and grace.  Help us that claim to know you really live it out and show your love through our actions and our thoughts.  Help me to share and show the love I have been given.  Help me to shine your light in the darkness of this world.  In the precious name of Jesus, amen.