She tentatively walked onto the front porch and rang the doorbell. Her friends had invited her for a visit and although she'd been there several times she was still a little nervous. Just as she extended her finger to ring the doorbell a voice called to her from across the lawn. "They don't want YOU there!" "You're not welcome!" A man was yelling at her from the street. A large man, bald, red-faced man, stood holding the leash that was holding his little, white dog. He was staring at her. Shocked she remained silent and turned to ring the bell again while pulling her hijab a little more tightly around her face. Were they home? Please let them be home! "They don't respect you!" The man continued to yell. "They don't...." his next stinging words were cut short. The door opened and a small, smiling face looked up at her. The little girl unlocked and opened the screen door and ran out of the house, quickly wrapping her arms around the lady's legs. "Hello auntie!" she said sweetly and just loud enough for the red-faced man to hear. She turned in time to see him huff, yank the leash and walk off. She was welcome, she was respected, she was loved here.
This is not a fictional account. It happened on our front porch a couple weeks ago. Our sweet friend faced the bigotry of ignorance only because she looked different than the person who targeted her. But she doesn't just look different, she is different. A warm-hearted, loving, compassionate kind of different. Thank God for that. We also thank God our children see beyond the physical and for our many "visitors" that have loved them enough to make that happen. Please pray for our neighbors...all of them.
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