Last week we talked about the the village at the Henry Ford Museum and how Henry Ford moved the houses of certain people who made a big impact on our world by their choices. I mentioned how impressed I was that Henry Ford had the insight to do this while he was still living. (Read here.) Last week was about the village, now, let’s talk about the museum.

There were more than just cars inside the museum. There was farming equipment that changed the industry, the Oscar Mayer Wiener car, the car that President Kennedy was in when he was shot, and the car President Reagan was using when he was shot. Then we came to the bus Rosa Parks was riding in when she refused to give up her seat to a white man.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was riding home from work while sitting in the back of the bus. As the bus filled, there were no longer seats for the white people and the bus driver asked those sitting in row 5 (the first row African Americans could use) to get up from their seats. Three ladies moved, as they were told, and Rosa Parks did not. I was moved by the innocence of how the bus looked now and was equally struck by the significance of her refusing to stand. Here’s what I took from this moment:

We all have a daily bus we ride. Each day we must choose to do the daily tasks we’ve been called to do. Luke 16:10a states, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.” Do not neglect the small things God is calling you to complete. For me, this includes anything from teaching Sunday School, mentoring inner city kids, or even doing laundry!

We have daily choices that affect both us and others. The choice Rosa Parks made that day sparked what we now know as the Civil Rights Movement. You might not think you are capable of choices like this one, but this is one of the only choices of Rosa Parks that I remember. Yet her choice was heard around the world!

We have to prepare. Rosa Parks did not make that specific decision on that particular day on a whim. When the moment happened, as she was riding the daily bus, and making her choice, she just knew. She was no longer going to be looked down upon. She lived her life preparing to stand up for herself.

Like Rosa, we have to prepare ourselves for one moment, and in that moment we have to be ready to move, to act, and to stand on our beliefs. What daily bus do you ride each day? What choices are you making now that affect not only you but others? How are you preparing today for choices you’ll need to make in the future?

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

© 2019 Susan M. Sims

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