A friend shared a song with me the other day, What If by Five for Fighting. The lyrics of this song are…just powerful.

“Threw a line out to pull you to me. If you don’t get it then you don’t get it. You made your mind up before you knew me. If you don’t get it then you don’t get it. Take my hand for a minute, we’re in it. Imagine all the pain that might be forgiven… What if I had your heart? What if you wore my scars? How would we break down? What if you were me, what if I were you?”

I wonder what would happen if we all took a second to think about it. How would our view of the world change? How would we feel about “hot topics” if we put ourselves in others places? Would any of us even be able to last a day as someone else? Last a day as an immigrant? Could you last an hour as someone suffering from homelessness? What about someone who is persecuted because of their skin color, religion, political views? If we made it a full day, would we be the same as we were when we started? I seriously doubt it.

My husband and I were foster parents for several years. We had the honor of caring for 7 children during that time. Each placement that we cared for came from varying circumstances. Domestic violence, neglect, drugs, misunderstandings, etc. Our eyes were opened. Our capacity to empathize grew exponentially. We learned so much. We learned that just because others are different, believe different, parent different does not mean that they are wrong. Different than us does not equal bad. Why is everyone scared of different?

The world right now is unpredictable. Divided. Scary even. There are those who don’t understand why half the country is upset right now. They are wondering why people are scared for their safety, for the safety of their children. They don’t understand why women are speaking out for their right to choose. There is a sense of judgement, they make up their mind about the woman choosing before they know them. Their daughter, sister, friend could have been the one who had to make that choice and they will never know. How would it feel to know that someone so close to you is too scared to talk to you? Imagine wearing their scars. Would it change your heart?

There are neighbors, coworkers, friends who may look different than you, think different than you, speak different than you. They see you every day and walk on eggshells. Not wanting to bring up certain topics out of fear. Fear of being considered “bad” because they are different. Fear of you knowing they are part of the LGBTQ? community, fear of being judged based on their skin color, fear of being catcalled because they are a woman. What if you were them? What if they were you? Would you want them to treat you they way they are treated? I doubt it.

Listen to the song. Listen to it again. Think about the words.

What if I had your heart? What if you wore my scars? How would we breakdown? What if you were me? What if I were you? What if you told my lies? What if I cried with your eyes? Could anyone keep us down? What if you were me? What if I were you? To the ones who make it better find to get out, got to touch the other side. What if all that it took to save our lives together was to RISE UP?