I’m honored today to share the powerful voice of blogger Velynn Brown who writes for some of my favorite online faith magazines including She Loves (a global community of women who love) and The Mudroom (a blog about making room in the mess (of life). Rich with faith-filled passion, Velynn is a poet, blogger, social justice artist & advocate, and CEO of Brown Sugar Inc. Be sure to visit Velynn’s personal blog, Quenched, about ‘thirsting no more’.
With racial divides sweeping throughout our country, Velynn shines a light through troubled territory, challenging us to think, grow more deeply in loving God and our neighbor. She writes, “I am not afraid to ask God about the purpose of pain; whether it rises up in my own life or in the broken world we live in. Race, religion, and redemption are constant themes of thought and identity I wonder over and wrestle with.” Velynn says her heart “beats for the underdog, underprivileged and underloved—because that has been some big pieces of my own story.”
Her writing sinks deep beneath our skin.
Welcome Velynn today and enjoy her blog “Setting Aside Whiteness to be Holy”. Do leave her a comment, and if you have a moment to say hi here to let me know you visited, I’d enjoy hearing from you!
Read the full blog here!
Setting Aside Whiteness to be Holy
Stopped by and read her post. Brutally honest! But hey, that’s what truth is sometimes…brutally honest. What I loved, were the responses to her post. Every color, every creed. God’s Kingdom is for all to partake in. His Kingdom is a commonwealth and in that commonwealth, ALL citizens receive the same thing. Those who have a problem with that don’t have the heart of Christ. I love Velynn’s mantra – her heart beats for the underdog, underprivileged, and underloved. If that’s not the heart of Christ, I don’t know what is! Thanks for sharing her post Kathy! Stopping by from “Christian Women Bloggers Unite.”
thank you so much Michell for your thoughtful comment! I love to hear from the many voices of Christ’s women, such diversity and beauty and
blogging is a way to share our hearts, no matter what..which helps us unite!
I remember when she wrote that article and actually commented there at that time. Thank you for sharing it because her words, and her daughter’s words, are very important for all of us. Blessings! Nice to be your neighbor today at #IntentionalTuesday.
Hi Gayl, Thanks for visiting, and so glad you have followed her writings! Look forward to visiting you again!
Wow, what a powerful post! The words that spoke to my heart are… “Setting aside your whiteness to be holy does not mean losing or dropping the best of who you are and where you are from. It simply means choosing holy first and examining what is not right—what is not fair—what is not true.” Thank-you for sharing.
Thanks for reading this powerful post Wendy! I’ve been blessed by this summer blog, to be able to share such important writing and
bold voices is a gift — as well as your visit and comment!
I cannot thank Velynn enough for her deep conversations with her beautiful thoughtful daughter as she navigates through her painful confrontations with systemic racism that persists in the United States. It is heartbreaking to hear Velynn’s daughters’ experiences. Many polls done of today’s millenials in the U.S.reveal increased embrace of diversity re: race, gender preferences etc. compared to the older generations. So, when I hear Velynn’s daughter’s experiences with her peers… it is clear that most white folks, of all ages, still have a very long way to go on the road to true holiness. One important step on this journey is that courageous spirits, like Velynn, continue to gift us with open and honest communication about what white holiness truly means.
Theresa, what a thoughtful and rich comment. You bless me with your awareness, compassion and words.We have so much to learn from Velynn and her daughter, and as more of us open our hearts and ears, we can continue to walk together as sisters and brothers born in the image of God.
I cannot thank Velynn enough for her deep conversations with her beautiful thoughtful daughter as she navigates through her painful confrontations with systemic racism that persists in the United States. It is heartbreaking to hear Velynn’s daughters’ experiences. Many polls done of today’s millenials in the U.S.reveal increased embrace of diversity re: race, gender preferences etc. compared to the older generations. So, when I hear Velynn’s daughter’s experiences with her peers… it is clear that most white folks, of all ages, still have a very long way to go on the road to true holiness. One important step on this journey is that courageous spirits, like Velynn, continue to gift us with open and honest communication about what true holiness means.
That was such a powerful post, Kathy. Thank you for sending us over to read Velynn’s profound message. It was both convicting and inspiring- I can only pray that God opens up white hearts (and ALL hearts really) to be Holy hearts…
yes, so powerful Christine..we can learn so much from Velynn’s daughter! PS..Never got your email about your book..