Sammy Tippet is an itinerate evangelist, serving mostly in Europe.
In his book Praying for your Family, he recounts a story from his past which reveals the beauty of God’s grace and forgiveness as well as the ugliness of our past. He grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during the 1950s and 1960s. In his junior year racial integration came to Istrouma High School where he was one of the class leaders.
He shares, “One incident etched a portrait on my heart in such a way I have never been able to forget the scene. Four very brave African-American girls came to Istrouma and began the process of breaking down racial barriers. A crowd of about 150 white students gathered around one of the girls.
While they screamed at
While they screamed at her, she covered her face with her hands and wept. Although I harbored racist attitudes in my heart, I knew that was no way to treat a human being. I was a leader at school and had the power to stop what was happening. However, I was a coward. I remained silent while that girl suffered.”
Later, Tippet came to
Later, Tippet came to faith in Christ and God set him free from his racist attitudes. But he could never forget that scene from his high school days. It seemed God kept reminding him of it. He did not know the names of any of the girls and where they might be located.
He began to pray he
He began to pray he would be able to meet one of the girls. That seemed impossible, but the prayer continued off and on for 20 years.
After that lengthy time his daughter-in-law wanted to have a CPR class for their families. A company in California had a representative where they lived, an African/ American lady. During her presentation she mentioned she grew up in Baton Rouge. Tippet recognized she was about his age. Could it be possible she could be one of the four girls who were victimized by such racial hatred?
Finding sufficient courage to question her, he found that she was indeed one of the four girls. He was so surprised he stumbled through a request for forgiveness in behalf of his classmates of that day. Later, he felt his efforts were insufficient so he wrote a more transparent letter. He explained he had prayed for 20 years God would allow him to meet those girls who were so courageous to integrate Istrouma High School in the 60s.
“As a leader on my campus, I should have stood up for what was right. But I didn’t do that and I am ashamed of my inaction. I am asking your forgiveness; and if you know how I might contact any of the others, I would like to ask their forgiveness.” He said, “Her response was like a cool drink of water on a hot day.
She wrote, “Your apology is most humbling and God’s divine providence most remarkable. I accept your apology and most importantly, God accepts your apology. I always remember those days but not with bitterness but a sense of sadness. Thank you for being a true leader and speaking up now. The sadness I felt turned to joy, knowing through the world there are people just like you; lovers of God, making things right and making the world make sense.”
Although most of us are vaguely aware of the injustice and evils of that period of our history, it is not a part of our story. If it had happened to our grandparents who passed it down to us, our reaction would be much different.
That is why we have difficulty understanding the sensitivity of people of color to any sense of injustice in our day. We would do well to read the stories of those who lived through that period — not to bring shame or guilt, but perhaps a clearer understanding of their rage.
To comment, email jhm82@outlook or call (580) 772-2311.