The Abiding Presence of God

Some time back, columnist Sheila Graham shared a compelling interview with Ruby Bridges Hall. Though she wasn’t aware of it at the time, Ruby was the first African-American child to integrate into a particular grade school in New Orleans in 1960.

You can picture her as a typical first-grader, with a big bow in her hair and lunch box in hand. But every day on her way to school, escorted by armed federal marshals, she braved angry people shouting at her as she entered an empty classroom. White parents had moved their children to other schools. Ruby did not realize until later when a little boy told her why he couldn’t play with her, that she was the reason for all the commotion.

In her interview, Sheila Graham noted that even in midst of this stressful, hostile situation, little Ruby prayed every day, before and after school. She even prayed for those angry people who had been shouting at her.

Ruby Bridges Hall explained it this way: “One thing my mother always said to me was that when she couldn’t be with me if I was ever afraid, I should say my prayers . . . Even at night, if I would wake up from a nightmare and want to get up and go to her room, she would immediately ask, Did you say your prayers?’ That’s where that came from and it sort of stuck with me.”

Ruby’s mother gave her a powerful tool. Ruby grew up knowing that she was never alone. She knew that she was connected to a power far greater than herself. And she knew that the abiding presence of God would carry her through.

Let us pray: Gracious God, we often find ourselves frightened, anxious, worried about the future. Remind us that we too are connected to a power far greater than ourselves. Help us to turn to you and to trust you; through Jesus Christ. Amen.