This I Know

Where can I possibly begin to explain to you what this year has been? The last post on my blog was many, many months ago. I share my personal stories on my blog and somehow they resonate with people. But I entered a year where I wasn't sure what could be shared, what couldn't, who would be hurt, what legal action could come against me, or what was even true. It hasn't been just one area of life, it has been all areas of life.

We moved to a new town. Kids entered new schools. We attended a new church. It was an intense year politically. (perhaps the understatement of the century) My mind and heart have been spinning, trying to find where to land. 

I learned first hand about discrimination. I watched as churches denied my children access to VBS because they were blind. I watched workers take the canes away from my daughters because it wasn't safe for the other kids. I lifted a limp, severely overheated daughter into my arms and removed her from a school building after being shut away in a non ventilated, non air conditioned room for hours. I iced her body down in front of workers who hadn't bothered to read her IEP medical history. I was scared for her and so very angry. 

I sat in a room of authorities in my daughter's lives and listened to one person blatantly lie, and the loudest thing in the room was the silence of those betraying the truth for the sake of a colleague. That single moment sent me into silence publicly. Perhaps that was the goal? I'll never know. But I fought long and hard every moment of this year. And along the way God graced me with a few who decided my daughters were worth getting in the ring for and they fought with me. 

I love people. I love messy people. And I struggled internally all year long to find a way to bridge the gap between loving them and fighting for our rights. 

And so you have seen silence on my blog. What could I say? What part of my life could I share without humiliating the very people I needed to work with me?

But I have listened to people through social media, through group settings and I have learned that the average person in my circle has not tasted discrimination. Since their experiences do not show them it exists, many begin to believe it doesn't exist. Many begin to grow cold towards the brave voices that are speaking up and telling their stories. 

And if I somehow resonate enough for people to read my life story, if the million people reading are still waiting for my voice to come back then I want the truth to be heard. The truth has been ugly this year. In my eternal hope I sincerely believe we can still change the world. 

I say all of this to introduce you to the new areas of my life. I hope you stick around for the ride. I'm learning as I go, undoubtedly making mistakes. Give me grace. God has ushered me into a season of fighting.

What I know is:

Life is hard. 

Discrimination is blatant. 

Manipulation is meant to silence the victims.

Silence is betrayal. 

And Jesus? He stands for the oppressed. 

And me? I want to be on His side.

So, I stand up again. Here is my voice, added to the thousands, millions. We will not be silent. I will not be silent. Let's ride.