Preaching What You Practice

We all remember that one time we are our shopping with our kids focusing on what to buy for dinner when all of a sudden horror and embarrassment strike. Our child notices a shopper who might be heavier or taller or darker or lighter then most and they say so, LOUD. They might notice someone in a wheel chair or someone with a mohawk and want to know WHY. They see them as different and their innocence allows them to question that instead of immediately turning away. Usually we shush them and whisper a few choice words about God's fabric being made up of all different kids of people or whatever crapola we can think of at the moment then walk away as quickly as possible. We might take the time later to talk about how differences are great and how they make the world go around. If the child doesn't bring it up again we sigh with great relief that we don't have to face discussing things that make us uncomfortable. What we want them to believe is that we embrace diversity and they should too. The real problem is that we all talk the talk (because we know we should) but forget to walk the walk. We want sameness. We crave it actually. We end up surrounding ourselves with people just like us. We take the easy route. Oh so easy but also bland. The idea of things or people different then us is scary. Of course scary doesn't have to equal bad. Scary can be inspiring and educational. Knowing new and different kinds of people can be the way to become a better person yourself. More importantly immersing yourself in diversity makes it less scary and more approachable for your child. It not only opens lots of doors in life but windows too.