There’s a system to everyone’s life. It’s a way of order that one begins at birth. For the most part, no one chooses the systems of which they are born into. We can call it culture, a religious belief system, a family dynamic, a financial status, a racial grouping or a mixture of these things. I don’t know what to call it. My mind has yet to clarify it. Whatever it is, we are born into the system or the order and as an adult will have a difficult time crossing back and forth over it.

Have you ever noticed when your out with your family or friends the people around you all look like you, act similar to you and may have similar values and lifestyles as you? I mean, as a white, southern, Jesus following, American woman when I am out in the world by myself or with my family I tend to come in contact with other white, southern, Jesus following American women. Sometimes it’s a black American Jesus follower or a gentlemen fitting these general descriptions. When I’m at the grocery store, church, school or at the community park, that’s who I see. The weird thing is, when I hang out with my Indian friends out in the world, all I come in contact with are other Indian women and families. When I am with my Muslim refugee friends, then I am surrounded by other Muslims. It’s weird how that works. It has been a habit for me to seek out people of different backgrounds when I am out. I often find some really neat people very much interested in making a new American friend. I learn a lot from people outside my cultural box.

If I could describe my feelings about today adequately that would be wonderful. I don’t think, however, that I will be able to do so. In an effort to take an Iraqi refugee lady to obtain her driver’s license, I was hit head on by many conflicting circumstances mostly related to cultural, language and social barriers. Our American system is often so systemized that it actually hurts many people rather than helping. Sadly, the poorer class of people are often the ones who struggle with it the most which in effect keeps them fighting to rise above and succeed. Poor, and often honest foreigners and refugees are affected the most.

I did not choose to be born a wealthy person in America. I could have been born anywhere and could have grown up understanding life quite differently. No child chooses their parents nor the area of which they are born. The opportunities that growing up in America offers are great, but is it the best? Is there a best?

I love America and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have been born and raised here. The education I have and have been offered is of great appreciation to me. The technology, order, structure, business life, schooling, social systems and freedoms are things to truly value. But there’s something I am learning that we are missing. In our attempt to bring structure, freedoms and order could we possibly be entangling ourselves into a system or way of life that denies compassion to outsiders? Are we setting ourselves so apart from our distant relatives and the larger part of humanity that we are isolating and disconnecting ourselves? Is that okay?!

Everything in America has a system, an order. Born and raised here, it’s hard to realize there is a system because we so effortlessly fall into it. Registrations, lines, bill paying, buying and selling things, interviewing, resume writing, appointment making, ordering food, shopping, trying out for sports, applying for schools, driving, getting married or having babies, graduating, etc, are examples of cultural situations to where systems exist. There is a system, an order, a way of doing everything in America. That’s one of the things many admire about us. But, I’m learning that if we are not careful it could be the very thing that hurts us. A foreigner often has a lot of difficulty filing into our systems. From my experience working with poor refugees as well as wealthy Indian or Asian people over the past 3-4 years, it seems that many Americans have developed a cold heart.

I don’t feel like the 9/11 devastation was the start of or the single cause of Americans putting up systematic walls to foreigners. I believe systems have gradually come into existence and we have somehow accidentally forgotten where we came from. In our excitement of gaining brains and wealth, it seems we’ve created such a system that excludes the expression of care and love to all people.

I’m uncertain what to do with my thoughts. I pray that the Lord shows me more and teaches me how to help others cross unreasonable systems. We must be willing to compassionately love people where they are and help to open doors for their growth and understanding.

Perhaps in the next few days, I’ll write about what led me to write what I wrote with this post. For tonight, however, I pray that readers will watch more closely for those around them who may look or act different on the outside but may be struggling underneath a system that keeps them knocked down. Are not people more than an ID badge, a number or a ticket? (I’m not denying some order as a necessity.) Lord, help us. Save us from ourselves.