Do You Know Gracism

            From the age of sixteen, I have wanted to become a mental health counselor, more specifically a psychologist. I graduated from college with a BA in Psychology with the intention of continuing to graduate school and beyond. But, like many, life had other ideas in mind for me. Now, after more than thirty-five years, I find myself a widow standing on the precipice of a new life. So much has happened since the death of my husband, Chuck. Through his prodding and then the grief after losing him, I found my way back to God. I thought God had given up on me many years ago. Oh, was I wrong! God stepped in, loud and clear, after Chuck’s death. Or should I say I started to pay attention and realize the blessings that I have? I had the time to think about what to do with the rest of my life. I thought long and hard about going back to graduate school at my age. After a year of research, I decided that I was going to pursue my dream. And this is where God stepped in again. I applied to the Clinical Mental Health program and had to wait for acceptance. In the meantime, an advisor suggested that I take a few classes in Pastoral Counseling at the School of Divinity. There was no way that I thought I could do well enough in pastoral counseling. Once again, I was wrong. This is where God wanted me to be. I believe with all my heart, that God steered me in this direction, to become a mental health counselor with a Christian worldview. As with many other things in my life, this was not in my plans.
            I briefly explain this to provide perspective in discussing my thoughts after reading the book, Gracism: The Art of Inclusion (Anderson, 2007). I found the book to be very inciteful and inspiring. I moved to Raleigh after graduating college and worked as an Employer Relations Representative with the NC Employment Security Commission. After a few months, the agency manager asked me to fill in for the next year at Chavis Heights, an underserved neighborhood in downtown Raleigh like what Anderson (2007) describes. I accepted the job with an open heart and intended to help everyone as I could.
            The residents of Chavis Heights were very skeptical of me, a blond, white woman from the suburbs driving a small sports car coming to the rescue. But I was determined to do my best no matter what. Although there is too much to explain in this blog about my experience, I can tell you that after a couple of months, I came face to face with a gang that wanted to put me in my place. Amazingly I was not scared, perhaps just naive. Looks can be deceiving, or as Anderson (2007) explains it best through the concept of Dotism. I grew up in Fayetteville, NC (just off Ft. Bragg) in a multiracial and multicultural environment where we saw one another as “people” and not as a color or specific culture. This is not a popular concept to ascribe to in our society today, but it is the truth, my truth and I will not apologize for it.
            There are seven teachings from Paul that Anderson (2007) integrated into how we can move past racism and embrace Gracism. In Chapter 12 of his Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul summarizes the overarching theme of Christianity, being we are “One body”. “For as the Body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one Body, being many, are one Body: so also is Christ” (King James Bible, 1769/2017, I Corinthians 12:12). I do not think that there is a better description of unity and diversity in the Bible. Anderson (2007) states that “Gracism is the positive extension of favor on other humans based on color, class or culture” (p. 154). Finally, an “ism” that is positive and not negative as with many other “isms” in our society. How beautiful the word Gracism is and the principles behind it. Furthermore, Anderson (2007) explains, “By becoming a Gracist, you will be more like Christ and will become a bridge builder for unity” (p. 154).
            Anderson (2007) went on to make some suggestions on how to accomplish becoming a Gracist. The first, and most important I believe, is to “Receive the grace of God in your life first” (p. 155). No one on this planet is without sins. But through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary, God wants a loving relationship with all of humanity. The choice is ours; He gave us free will to decide. As Anderson (2007) reminds us, once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become a testimony for others. I believe that God wants me to be a testimony for others as a counselor. Mental health, in general, is marginalized and stigmatized in our society.
            The next principle I would like to discuss from Anderson (2007), is to “Relate on purpose to people who are different” (p. 159). Anderson (2007) states that we should do business in areas that are different from us. I agree with this principle. I must admit though, that with Covid-19 I have gotten away from this in lieu of ordering online for safety’s sake. This is a good reminder of how important it is to support small businesses and connect with the community. I have always liked knowing whom I am doing business with and vice versa. It is a wonderful feeling when you go into a business, and they know who you are. My husband had a small business and was a firm believer in knowing all his customers. Nothing replaces the personal touch and relationships that can be built. I plan to continue his legacy through kindness and his simple business model.
            The last principle that I want to discuss from Anderson (2007) is his suggestion to “Link with a church or organization that promotes care for the poor” (p. 159). There are so many struggling to just keep their heads above water through this pandemic and the financial downturn that our country is in. For better or worse, this is reality. But it also means that those who were barely hanging on, most likely find themselves in despair. I reconnected with a neighbor while on a walk a few weeks ago. We talked for a while, and I found out that she has been volunteering for Meals on Wheels for the past couple of months. She invited me to join her for an afternoon delivering meals to the elderly and I accepted. 
            I feel that God wants to use me to help and/or minister to minority, marginalized, and/or underserved populations through becoming a mental health counselor. I am aware that as counselors we cannot force Christianity on those who do not want to integrate it into therapy. I am just grateful for the opportunity that I feel is opening for me. Hays & Erford (2018) discuss spiritual diversity in counseling and stated, “One common precept of the spiritual life, however, is that all is connected, all is one” (p. 519). Moreover, “Essential to grace is a person who is willing to receive it and then out of a grace-filled heart is compelled to extend it” (Anderson, 2007, p. 160). Although I worked for the government for a few years and enjoyed my job, I sadly left because I needed to make more money. My corporate career made me a good living but showed me the heartless side of the business world. People are no match for money and greed.
            In summary, God knows everything about us and has mapped our destiny, but how, when, or if we get there is up to us. I used to think that I had taken the long road to where I am currently. I have come to realize that the long road is what God had in mind for me. If I had made any one decision differently in my life, then I would not have been where I needed to be. Life experience, wisdom, empathy, and the testimony of Jesus Christ are what I have to offer now. What happened that day in Chavis Heights many years ago has stayed with me since then. A couple of guys stepped in and told the gang members that I was okay and trying to help and that they were to make sure that no one touched me. I never had another problem working there again. And, I have never forgotten the kindness. This confirmed my upbringing that there are good and bad people in this world, no matter their color, their beliefs, or where they come from. Having grown up in the South, I am well aware of racism and the devastating effects that have come from it, but we cannot heal as a society if we keep going backward. I have learned along the way that there are people, or angels, that will step in when you least expect it. This is Gracism to me. Humanity is not lost, just bruised by those who do not know the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God bless us all and thank you for reading this.

 References

Anderson, D. A. (2007).  Gracism: The art of inclusion. Intervarsity Press.

Hays, D.G. & Erford, B.T. (2018). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems approach (3^rd ed.). Pearson. 

King James Bible. (2017). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1769).