Anyway, it has been a bit of an eye opener for me. I think I realized for the first time that I'm white. Is that weird? Maybe it's because I grew up in a small town in south Alabama and went to an all-white high school and mostly-white college, but I've never really been "white" before. Or at least, I've never really had to think about it.
I'm now living in a place where I am most definitely in the minority, and it's weird. I hate to say that, but it's true. I know that race doesn't matter in the big scheme of things - I mean, we all bleed red and all that, but there is still this unfamiliarity I have with other cultures and races that makes being in the minority a little strange for me. Is it ok for me to say that out loud?
I think I like it though. I think I need this. I think everyone needs to get out of their comfort zone every once in a while. You know why? Because maybe (as I think the case is here) your comfort zone might actually be hindering you from the kind of life you deserve to live.
God created a multicolored family for a reason. I think He wants to show me. I mean, why else would he bring me from Magnolia Springs, Alabama to Harlem? I intend to find out.
p.s. If God is taking you out of your comfort zone, I'd love to hear about it. It's way easier to do this when I have company :)
Love,
Jessi
It's important to be out of your comfort zone. It makes you more open-minded and it helps you grow. I like your blog btw:)
ReplyDeleteMine is at:
http://rockershack.blogspot.com
Best wishes from South Africa
A feeling of belonging has more to so with having things in common and a spirit of love and sharing than with race. But of course race is a clear representation of difference in culture and lifestyle and it is easier to just look at that and decide it's not going to work.
ReplyDeleteI believe in Christ we're one big family. I had a hard time fitting in in school, because most people were from a "higher" social class, but I still found a home in my christian fellowship.
Talking about comfort zone, I don't know what that really feels like, cuz life for me for a long while now has been much less than comfortable, but I get up most days with hope and peace in Christ, with Him we can make it through any test.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this particular post I was blessed with the vision of what it is to "be in the fire" like the Hebrew children in the book of Daniel. I have been reading the bible for 7 years now and I have realized that ANYONE in the Bible who wants to live a life of faith in God and in His Holy Lamb MUST "be in the fire" or "outside their comfort zone" How else are we to show Him that we believe he will deliver us and comfort us and guide us if we do not act on our faith. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 there is example after example of people who "moved" for God to show them that they believed. Your walk has brought you to this moment and it is your time to have faith. God loves when we call on him for strength! Read Ephesians 6:10( armour of God) This isn't about race that I am reffering to, it is about you needing strength to face a situation that is new and a tad bit scary to you ( :
I have been there! I am half white and half black,that made for some VERY interesting school years! LOL!
God always has a plan. It may not seem like it and you may be scared to face it, but I don't think he doesn't give us anything we can't handle. A few months ago my entire life basicaly fell apart. Its like someone picked up the snowglobe, gave it a good shake and put it back down. I was lost. I was scared, and I had NO idea what to do.
ReplyDeleteBut as it turns out... I'm gonna be much happier with a life full of love and people who care about me and new experiences that I never though were possible before.
Good luck and you'll get through it. You have a goos soul and that always helps in the end.
:o)
this is so funny to me. This experience happened to me when I was born. I'm a black woman born into a white world.
ReplyDeleteI realized it in elementary school though because hair, dialect, food, and everything was an issue.
Then again, in high school on teen board when the staff of the store thought I was shopping and not there for the meeting like the 25 other girls or when I started working and everyone thought and still thinks its absurd that I don't go to the lake every weekend.
Good Luck! I know you will swim not sink.
BTW, we are a "peculiar" people; so there is always a lot to navigate. And Harlem is no day at the park at least the part I visited.
ReplyDelete*But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
1 Peter 2:9
Hello! I'm Jasmine, I found your blog one day, and have been reading it since.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a small town in Michigan. And I mean SMALL. We were a farming community. There were no African Americans or any other race living in the area...or the county, for that matter. I went to my babysitters one day, I must have been 3 or 4, and she was a foster Mom for some other kids or took some kids in from an unfortunate family living in Detroit, or something. I remember my Mom dropping me off one morning, and I was scared to death. I knew nothing of other races except for my own. But my Mom explained it to me, and all was well.
We never had any other races attend our school, either. I mean, my high school only had 400 kids in it...about 100 kids per class. My Senior year, we had an African American girl move to our district...it kind of threw everyone for a loop. But she was accepted, because that was the kind of community that we are.
It was hard for me when I moved to Ann Arbor, MI for a while. It was hard adjusting to all the different languages and such. But, when I moved back, I had an understanding for those who are not like me. I have a better appreciation for other cultures.
Now, when I go to Flint, MI (I think it's number 2 or 3 on the Nation's Most Dangerous Cities), I lock my doors and leave NOTHING in my car. And I'm not judging people...I'm judging the things I have heard on the News. It's odd how when I cross county lines, things change. Circumstances change. People change.
But it's good, to appreciate other cultures and people for who they are. It was good for me to finally move and realize there's another "world" out there beyond my own.
Hi, I stumbled on your blog by pure chance but the posts I have read have been lovely. First off congratulations on your engagement, I recently got engaged to so understand what you mean about being scared. Secondly I too have recently been taken out of my comfort zone by moving from the UK to Singapore with my fiance so reading this has resonated with me on several levels! Best wishes!
ReplyDelete