Consider the Source

Scripture: Luke 6:43-45 (ESV)

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Poem: On Virtue By Phyllis Wheatley (excerpt)

O thou bright jewels in my own I strive

To comprehend thee. Thine own words declare

Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach.

I cease to wonder, and no more attempt

Thine height t’explore, or fathom thy profound

Meditation:

Okay friends, I’ll admit. I can be optimistic at times. I have had a history of going into situations, seeing a few red flags, but hoping for a positive result. This includes seeing the good in people or job opportunities even when it was clear that I was not safe, protected, or that I was being exploited. But, being the optimistic that I am, I wanted to “be the change,” and strive to pull the beauty out of the person or experience. Have I been successful? Ha. Not quite. Have I left exhausted? Yes.

Most recently I have found myself saying about someone’s behavior: “that’s just ugly.” Now, I grew up not using words such as this so it caught me by surprise a few months ago during my internal monologue when thinking of someone. This ugly that I speak of is not external. People can be easy on the eye, have great smiles, and a wonderful style. But the ugliness in someone can be so prevalent that just the sight of them can be like rotten trash to me. I can grow uneasy just being in their presence.

What I’ve noticed about the ugliness that I’ve encountered in other people is that it’s camouflaged extremely well as a beautiful, good fruit bearing tree. But, with time the person’s roots, their real motives, begin to show. What they’ve attempted to hide eventually comes out, full throttle, with no remorse for how their actions can affect others around them.

How do we navigate in spaces where ugliness is thriving? How do we keep a sound mind when we are faced with the temptation to mimic those around us who have ill intentions?

I am still grappling with the answer.

I have tried tucking myself away being as quiet and still as a hermit crab. That didn’t work. I found myself battling internally with my thoughts and anguish. I fought with myself for feeling as though I was not walking in my truth or standing up for myself.

I have tried matching their bad energy only to be disappointed in how I looked ugliness in the eye and chose to mirror it. For weeks I responded to fire with fire, only to find that the explosion left me just as guilty as the person who incited me. Michelle Obama is coined as saying, “When they go low, we go high.” This time I went just as low. It felt good in the moment to inflict the same pain that had been inflicted on me. But humility caught up with me and shamed me while my pride was gearing up for another round.

I'm still trying to figure out how to respond to ugly energy from other people in my life. I haven't figured it out. When you have an answer, can you let me know?

Song: Satan We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down by Shirley Ceasar

Reflection Questions

1. How do we show up for our spiritual and mental selves when encountering ugly behavior and attitudes?

2. Are there people who bear bad fruit that we need to prune from our lives (“No” is a full sentence. It’s okay to set boundaries!)? Do they deserve another chance? A moment of transparency? An olive branch?

3. Is there any bad fruit in our own lives that needs to be pruned?

Call to Action: Journal what a good fruit bearing tree vs. bad fruit bearing tree looks/feels/ sounds like to you. Journal the affects both have on your life.

About the Author:

Racquel Bethea (she/her) is an educator and media producer who encourages everyone around her to keep pushin', and keep smilin’.

Stay connected to Racquel:

Website: www.KellieTheKreator.com

IG: @kelliethekreator

FB: Kellie Bee

These Black Lent devotionals were originally curated by IG: goodneighbormovement.

Image: Black Woman and Autumn Leaves by Doria Adoukè