justice Archives - Lauren Sparks

Well…best laid plans. I intended to write a post on Black History month and continuing to educate ourselves on this important part of American history as well as the fight for racial justice. But instead, snowpocolypse hit much of the south and Texas faced unprecedented (man, I weary of that word) power outages leaving us and millions of others without electricity, heat, and in some cases water. All the while temps reached only into the teens and dropped to single digits every night.

Hotels booked quickly and roads were not safe to travel since the Lone Star State doesn’t have many sand trucks nor other equipment to clear the roads. Sweet friends living just around the block blessed us with their electricity and extra beds. Grateful can’t describe our feelings. So grateful in fact, that upon finally moving back home, we returned the favor to another family without power.

We enjoyed great fellowship and some laughs, but not any alone time to work or write. So here I sit – safe, sound and warm. But out of time. So I will simply simply share the things used to learn from in honor of Black History Month.

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown. This book is hard to read. But not nearly so hard as it was and probably still is for Ms. Brown to live. And after hearing some of what can constitute a microaggression, I am more convinced than ever that I have more work to do personally. I believe this author will continue to be a powerful voice in the battle for racial equity.
How to Fight Racism with Jemar Tisby. Since I already had my February read picked out, my husband joined me in watching this series based on the book of the same name. Tisby lays out his ARC method – Awareness, Relationship and Commitment as a means of battling racial injustice. He packs each 20 minute episode with eye opening, helpful and challenging information. While episodes on Amazon cost $4.99 each (well worth it), if you have access to RightNow Media you can watch for free!
Africa Before Transatlantic Enslavement and 5 Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. The folks at Be the Bridge reminded me that Black History Month is not just about the struggles of people of color, but their contributions. They recommended these two articles. I’m almost not smart enough to read the first. It took some concentration. But both taught me a lot!

You’ve still got time to commemorate this month. And keep learning for months to come. For more resources I recommend (books, movies and podcasts), click here.

And now for this week’s featured post!

I can’t think of a better thing to read this week of Valentine’s (and any week, really) than words straight from God’s word on “love”. Visit candidlychristian.com for Heather Hart’s 6 Bible Verses About God’s Love.

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We have rounded another year. I say “another” as if it retains any semblance to the others. It doesn’t. But I have lived (somewhat), written, felt and survived to do it all again. I am so very thankful that the challenges of 2020 pushed me closer and closer to my Heavenly Father, but now I would like them to end (said in jest – sort of).

I want to thank you, bloggy friend, for taking the time to follow my writing and for any amount of time sacrificed to read these words. It means more to me than you could possibly know. And each and every comment left was like a present for me to open. While I know now more than ever that I have no idea what topics the future will provide for this website, I still plan a little, holding it loosely. Proverbs 19:21 says, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. NIV I desire deeply for God’s purpose to be fulfilled here.

So I looked back for research at what posts you all enjoyed most from last year. This information helps me hone in on what is helpful and meaningful to you. So I present to you (in case you missed any of these or would like to revisit) the top 10 most viewed posts from my site in 2020. And thank you again being such an important community for me. (Also, take a gander at my list of the top posts of 2019 here.)

10. The Good Thing V. the God Thing February 7, 2020

Mark 1:40-45 tells the story of a man Jesus cured of leprosy only to command him to keep his miraculous healing to himself. Common sense seems to say that Jesus’ ministry would only be enhanced by the sharing of this good news. But God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), so we must seek His guidance in all things and not forge ahead using only our own feeble wisdom.

9. God is Good…but Life is Still Hard March 6, 2020

Certain situations and events from the year past drove me to study Job. Good ol’ Job who lost his wealth, his family and finally his own health. Although he lamented (this can be so healthy), Job never lost his faith in God. In the midst of his heartache – before any earthly blessing was restored to him – Job exclaimed, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” (19:25) When all else slips away, we can cling to that.

8. I Love… February 14, 2020

This Valentine’s Day post only touched on romantic love. It’s more about the many things and people I love and am thankful for in this life. Even though I wrote this pre-Covid 19, reading the list again encouraged me. So many of my treasures I still enjoy in the midst of it. I hope it encourages you too.

7. Better Late than Never – My Thoughts on Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Others June 5, 2020

As the death of several black Americans set our world on fire last summer, I struggled with whether or not my voice in matters of systemic racism and injustice mattered. But I finally had to speak – with people that I know and with my computer keys. I forced myself to examine my privilege and any biases and prejudices with which I view the world. I don’t pretend to be “woke” to the things I’ve been blind to, but I am determined to keep working on it. All life has value. Genesis 1:27 says God created mankind in His own image. The Bible lists no exceptions to this. Black lives matter.

6. The Pursuit May 8, 2020

Using a different translation of Psalm 23:6 gave me a deepened perspective on God’s vast love for us. He created us, He loves us, and He wants us. In this world that is still so full of uncertainty, I find great comfort in this. In Him.

5. Farewell to February February 28, 2020

This was the only month end review to make the list. Reading again about all my social activities pre-virus almost brought a tear to my eye. May it be again soon, Lord.

4. Today I Cannot…a Coronavirus Lament May 15, 2020

The title of this one explains itself pretty well. It took me a couple of months of lock down to reach this boiling point, but many of these things still grieve me (although some days my will to endure stays stronger than the moment in time I penned this). Maybe you can relate to some of my things. And maybe you just need to read the verse at the end for comfort and hope.

3. A Conversation on Race, Part 1 June 19, 2020

Two fellow bloggers of color, Yvonne Chase and Calvonia Radford agreed to an interview on the issues of racial injustice that news journalists and the everyman with a cell phone brought to the forefront of our consciousness. I will warn those of you that look like me that it’s not easy to read. But I pray you will be prompted to examine your own heart against the feelings and facts they share. We still have a long way to go in the arena of race relations in America. You might just find a good start here. And don’t miss the links to their websites. Read Part II of this conversation as well. “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” – Angela Davis

2. These are a Few of My Favorite Things (100 to Be Exact) November 6, 2020

“If I am losing it beyond the normal parameters of losing it, I write out or say 100 things I am grateful for.” – Jami Amerine. She calls this a gratitude blitz and I tried my hand at it a couple of months ago. That this list landed in the #2 spot tells me a lot about our need for positivity right now. Hopefully something you read here will touch you, encourage you, entertain you or motivate you to make your own list. And maybe we will decide – at least for a moment – that things really aren’t that bad.

1. Dear Teenage Daughter, You Aren’t Entitled February 21, 2020

I suspect from this #1 post that some of you deal with the challenges of an entitled generation. I promise you that this letter, written two days before my teen’s birthday has a happy ending. And she gave me her permission and approval. Part rant, part lesson and confession from me – it is all heart. And I could not love her more.

This concludes a year in the life of this blogger. A year I honestly hope we never see the likes of again. But important lessons for me – and maybe you – reside here. I hope you are informed or encouraged, and I pray God is glorified here. I thank you, again, for being my reader friends and hope this relationship continues into the new year. Also, happy birthday to the best Papa in the world (and Elvis).