Rejecting Racism 4 Ways to Grow Kids Who Love People

I stand with a group of moms for the first time in 13 weeks. Covid-19. Social distancing. Finally, an outdoor prayer meeting draws us together. People of faith, delighting to see each other, offering air hugs. But our hearts carry a heavy burden. Our concerns weigh us down. In the aftermath of the atrocious murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd our country reals, our city protests. We ask for prayer. “Help us Lord to teach our children to be lovers of people. Break the chain of bigotry and hatred. Give us hearts of love and honor toward all people, and may we pass that on to our children.”

Our goal as moms is to nurture and cultivate the next generation to grow up with a love for all people. A love not based on skin color, race, economics, or education, but a love based on the knowledge that each person we lock eyes with is made in the image of God.

Watching the news exposes the problem yet leaves us overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. Yet racism is fought and defeated one heart at a time. Hatred, bigotry, prejudice simmer secretly in the heart before they spew their deadly venom poisoning society.

Moms are in the heart business. We can’t change the heart, but we guide our children to the One who can. Now more than ever our words, our conversations, our example can profoundly contribute to the change for which our country pleads.

4 Ways to Raise Kids Who Love People

1. Lead the Way

We must practice what we preach. Kids sense hypocrisy. I must first check my own heart, ask the Spirit to search me. What learned attitudes do I need repent of and change so I don’t perpetuate wrong thoughts, attitudes, actions toward others? How am I treating people who differ in skin tone or ethnicity? Do I honor rich and poor alike? Serviceman or CEO alike? IF I desire to see my children love ALL people, then I must lead the way.

2. Teach

a. Scripture is the foundation, the WHY.

We love because God created humans in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). Romans 2:11 reminds us that God does not show favoritism. 1 Peter 2:17 exhorts us to honor everyone. James 2 reminds believers discrimination and favoritism are unacceptable. Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:37, 38 to love the Lord your God with all your heart…and to love your neighbor as yourself. We are called to love. This is our worldview. This is our charge.

b. History instructs us.

Museums, movies, YouTube videos, books teach us. Years ago we visited the Newseum in Washington, D.C., and watched the video footage of the Civil Rights Movement of the ’60s. We talked about equal rights. We read “I Have A Dream” by Martin Luther King. We studied the Civil War. History teaches us our past and instructs us toward a better future. Let us be good students. Visit the holocaust museum and experience the outrage when one people deem themselves superior to another. NO! It is not so.

3. Defend

We must defend the mistreated, refuse to listen, or repeat a racial joke or slur. Isaiah 1:16,17 urges “stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Seek justice.” We can teach our kids to look for opportunities at school to defend fellow humans against the bully of hatred and bigotry.

4. Befriend

We fear what we do not understand. When we befriend a person of a different race or ethnicity, we enlarge our hearts, our minds, our souls to the beauty of cultural diversity.

One of my best friends growing up was Indian American. Her parents emigrated from India. Her mom wore beautiful saris and spoke with an accent. I remember when my friend got to travel to India to visit extended family. My world was enlarged through her experiences.

I walked to school with Jewish friends, sharing our faith with each other, learning what each one believed. When they traveled to Israel my world grew too.

As an adult, one of my very best friends is Korean American. God has made us all. Cultures and people groups reflect a rich tapestry of beauty.

If you cannot travel to another country to experience diverse cultures, invite foreign exchange university students into your home. Listen to their stories, look at their pictures, learn from their perspective. Develop a cross-cultural friendship.

Final Thought For Moms:

We misunderstand what we do not know. We must check our hearts and ask God to grow it in love for all. Bigotry is pride and pride destroys. As a mom, you’ve got influence and you can impact the next generation with your love, your example, your humility.

Micah 6:8 declares “He has shown you.. .what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

We have work to do in this country. Moms, you can do so much in your home, impacting one heart at a time. You are growing people of faith, of love, who can change the world with the Gospel of Christ. Now more than ever your conversations and life matter.