Black Mystery

BAM. Here ya go. Black history, in black and white. She’s AMAZING. And frankly, she makes up for the largest portion of black history you will EVER hear about. In fact, pretty much no black history happened without her. Don’t you know who this is? You don’t? No way.

To be honest, I don’t either. She’s a mystery–and yet–the gentle humor behind her eyes reveal much. I found her one day, languishing in a pile of vintage photos in an antique store. At one time, remembered, at this time, forgotten. No name, neither in pencil nor ink, reveals her title. It’s kinda like walking in a graveyard. Names without faces. With photographs like these, it’s faces without names. Who was this woman? This 1900, brooch wearing, natural-bun-atop-her-head gal?

She’s black history. Her deeds are in the hidden past with no one to recognize them. And yet, we can see, somewhat.

Over the previous few weeks, we’ve enjoyed seeing photos of black accomplishment scroll by in our newsfeeds. Pretty cool people out there. The famous Fredrick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Mildred Jefferson. Each of these figures did something big that impacted our nation. What about this lady? Without a shadow of a doubt, this mama’s gentle push began it all. Have you heard the expression, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”? Interesting concept, not entirely wrong.

Maybe you don’t feel like you are making an impact. With society’s constant clamoring for notoriety and platform and recognition–you’re just over here raising kids and climbing Mount Laundry. You’re in a constant state of teaching your kiddos what kindness means while wiping who-knows-what off of who-knows-what. And maybe you’re crying out to Jesus on a regular basis for help. Yeah, I get that. All of it. And perhaps you feel like you’ll end up unknown and forgotten like my mystery lady above.

She’d wink at you and recite Sojourner’s famous words, “Ain’t I a woman?” And sometimes, dear friend, that’s enough. Or as she also stated, “God has enough, or what’s better…” You, like Queen Esther of old, were made for such a time as this. Laundry, sloppy kids, all of it. The cradle-rocking, the gentle push towards truth…

One way or another, mama, you will leave behind history-makers and a heritage. By the grace of God…”In whom we live and move and have our being…” Acts 17:28

“All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together…” Colossians 1:16-17

God bless you and GO MAKE HISTORY.

Ann