Our Daily Bread: This Far By Faithعينة

A Legacy of Courage 

As a young woman, Nannie H. Burroughs wanted to be a teacher. She applied for a position, only to be told of the DC school system’s preference for the “lighter skinned Blacks.” She later attributed her drive to open her own school to this insult and injustice. Burroughs went on to organize the International Council of Darker Women to uplift African American women, and became a dynamic force in the Civil Rights movement. Her rejection as a young adult could have hindered her from moving forward; instead, she let God use her experiences to fuel her work. 

African Americans have many painful stories to tell of being judged, rejected, and overlooked because of skin color, hair texture, or facial features. Many struggle with poor self-image. But when we bring our pain to God, we can begin to heal in the face of His truth. 

God knit each of us together, tracing the outline of our form and choosing the hue to color in the lines (Psalm 139:13–16). The Lord grieves when the precious person He made is despised. Our identity wounds need to find healing so we can be the person He made us to be. 

As David confessed, the faces of those who turn to Him “are radiant . . . never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5). In Him, we find the courage to be a testimony to the One who loves us.  -Victoria McAfee

“I felt God wanted me to go ahead, and I knew if I did what I could and trusted Him, He would see it through. And He did.” Nannie H. Burroughs