Hi to my Forum Friends,
One afternoon last week, after visiting the optometrist office in my local Galleria Mall -- I walked around inside the mall. Several weeks before I did the same and had noticed a mannequin in the window of one store that sells shoes, clothing, and other items which appeals to the younger crowd. On the mannequin's hand was a tattoo which really got my attention. On the four fingers of the left hand, there was a painted tattoo which reads H A T E.
Yes, this got my attention right away -- a store which is advocating "H A T E"? A store which is selling "H A T E" to our young people?
Seeing this mannequin still in the store window several weeks later, I had to find out more about it. So, I walked into the store. A well groomed, very polite young clerk asked if he could help me. The young man, in his early twenties, appeared to be a college student. I mentioned the tattoo on the hand of the mannequin and asked him about it.
He told me that a co-worker had taken the arms of the mannequin home and came back with tattoos on the hands. He, and a young lady (not sure if she was another clerk), explained that this was the trend -- to put "L O V E" on one hand and "H A T E" on the other. Yet, as I pointed out to them, the hand which supposedly has "L O V E" on it was turned away -- so that the only hand visible to people walking by the store and looking into the window -- was the "H A T E" hand.
Then came the million dollar question. I asked the young man if he knew where this "H A T E" hand tattoo idea originated. He had no idea. I explained that this is a tattoo which is commonly associated with White Supremacist groups. Yes, he had a surprised look on his face; somewhat more of a shocked look. After all, the young store clerk was black -- and blacks and Jews are the most hated targets of White Supremacist groups.
I went on to share with him the story of the young man I met about ten years ago when I went to the Riverside Regional Medical Center Emergency Room. As I was waiting in line to sign in, I noticed a young man standing in line behind me. He was the perfect stereotype of the White Supremacists we all see in the movies and on television -- shaved head, tattoos all over, muscle shirt, etc.
After seeing the doctor, he and I were alone in the same room waiting for our medication. While waiting, I began to read my Bible. I noticed him getting a book and when he began to read -- I was surprised. It was a Bible. But, his hand had "H A T E" tattooed on the four fingers. I asked him, "The book you are reading says 'L O V E' -- yet, your hand says 'H A T E.' What's the story?"
He explained that he, and his whole family, had been devout White Supremacists -- all the way. Even down to the only music they listened to -- which, he told me, was what they called Black Music. By this he explained, he meant Satanic music -- nothing to do with the black race.
Then he told me how a Christian believer had approached him on the street and began to witness to him. This got my attention -- for how many Christians will approach a person who is so obviously part of a White Supremacist hate group -- and witness to him?
But, praise God, someone had -- and the young man received Jesus Christ that day on the street in Riverside, California. He went from being a devout White Supremacist to being an on fire Christian believer. And, like me, he loved to write about it.
That afternoon he and I sat in the waiting room of the Riverside Regional Medical Center sharing our tracts with one another. In my heart, I praised God for that Christian believer who saw past his tattoos, shaved head, and muscle shirt -- and saw Jesus Christ waiting at the door of his heart. That brave believer, witnessing to the White Supremacist, showed this young man how to open his heart and invite Jesus Christ in to be his best Friend (Revelation 3:20).
To that Christian believer, wherever you are -- thank you for bringing this young man into the family of God. Today, I wonder how many others this ex-White Supremacist has brought into the family of God. And, keep in mind, if that one Christian had not had the brave Christian heart of the apostle Paul -- that young man might still be spreading "H A T E" instead of the Gospel. Let that be YOUR strength the next time God gives you an opportunity to witness to a stranger.
And, for all my local Southern California Friends, the next time you visit the Tyler Galleria Mall walk by The Scream Shop, upper level, north of JC Penney's -- and ask them why they are "Selling 'H A T E' To Our Youth."
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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