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Shawndra Lucas

Shawndra Lucas

Overcoming the Withdrawal Symptoms of a Narcotic Election Season

Consider this a PSA. The election season is ending, and it’s not going to be a smooth transition. I’m not talking about a potential transfer of power, I’m talking about the spiritual detoxification that will be necessary if we are to faithfully move on from an election

The Fight for Truth in the Age of Truthlessness

When we rang in the new year on January 1st, no one recognized that ringing as the sound of a trip gong, but apparently that’s what it was. A deafening ”ding!” signifying the start of a cage match that nobody signed up for. At least it feels that way.

3 Simple Steps Toward Empathy: Reflections on Jesus and a Nazi Death Camp

Jesus was the most empathetic person to ever live. People were constantly telling him their stories. Parents, paralytics, prostitutes. All kinds of people pleading with him to understand their plight and offer them some help. In response, Jesus listened closely to gather information, gave people personal attention, and often traveled

The Power of Both And In A Culture of Either Or

Remember back in the day when someone would challenge you to pat your head and rub your belly at the same time? You probably didn’t succeed on your first try. But you tried again. And again, and again, because you knew it was possible. You knew that you could

Now That America is on Her Knees, Will She Repent?

The band-aid has been snatched off the gaping wound of the race problem in America, and there is much work to be done to heal the nation. What has happened over the past two weeks is the triage. Reaching a place of recovery, redemption and reconciliation will require long-term intensive

The Forgotten Story of Two Public Lynchings

I did some research during our short stay in Springfield, MO this week. I jotted down a few thoughts about a significant, yet buried bit of history I discovered: On Saturday, April 14, 1906, two young black men were lynched in the public square downtown Springfield, MO. Executed for a

Exposing the Invisible Contract That Underlies Racism in America

The morning of the day George Floyd was murdered, an encounter between a man watching birds and a woman walking her dog in Central Park (NYC) turned hostile. His name is Christian Cooper. Her name is Amy Cooper. No relation. If you missed this story in the news, read Christian’

George Floyd Is the American Story We All Need to Learn

In the aftermath of the horrific murder of George Floyd, I have been praying and processing a lot of thoughts. So far, I’ve come to this: We have a lot to learn. We have a lot to learn about America, about the black experience in America, about each other.

We Suffer and We Dance.

*I wrote this unfinished essay on January 1, 2020, days before I went on a writing hiatus. In light of everything that has transpired so far this year, I felt this was worth publishing. I’ll come right out with it. There is no such thing as “the best year

Be Careful Not To Spoil Your Own Fruit

A vignette from the gospel of Matthew. // The tree wasn’t dead. For some reason it was more alive than it should have been. So early in the season, no one would have expected a fig tree to be in leaf. But it was. Chock-full of veiny, hand-shape foliage. So