Yesterday Kamala Harris became the first woman to become Vice-President of the United States of America. She also is the first woman of color to hold the second highest-ranking position in the U.S.
She’s there in part because of her neighbor.
The Bible, on which she placed her hand during the swearing-in ceremony, was borrowed from someone she calls “my second Mom,” Regina Shelton, a neighbor who lived two doors down.
Kamala says, “without this woman, I wouldn’t be the person I am today”—that’s the power of neighboring.
Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Mrs. Regina Shelton, originally from Louisiana, lived in Oakland, CA, when she met Kamala. Mrs. Shelton’s home was always open to her neighbors. She used it as a home daycare. It was the safe place to go after school if a parent wasn’t home. Kamala said, “it was like an extension of my home.”
Regina lived by the belief that you always lend a hand to those in need. The Sheltons devoted themselves to ensuring that neighborhood kids got off to the best possible start in life.
Mrs. Shelton would take her neighbors to church at the 23rd Avenue Church of God, where they learned of a loving God, a God who asked them to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” and to “defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
In the church, Kamala Harris learned that “faith is a verb.”
On a historic day in America, Kamala Harris wanted her neighbor, her second Mom, with her somehow, so she borrowed Regina’s Bible and used it as a support on which to lay her hand as she promised to uphold the office of Vice-President.
We never know where our acts of love will lead another. We don’t know today the fruit of the seeds which we plant in the lives of others. Sacrifice, kindness, sharing, and the gift of time often seem small compared to large, essential actions like leading a country. Still, perhaps those investments, are what prepare another for whatever office they assume.
To the nearly 3,000 Lights in Kansas City who are adopting your neighbors to pray, care, and share, thank you for being a good neighbor. It’s one of the highest callings in life.
Would Kamala Harris be where she is today if it weren’t for Regina Shelton’s influence?
At Love KC we help believers live on-mission where they live, learn, work and play. We serve so that every person in Kansas City will hear the Good News from a friend. We work to see everyone prayed for by name.
We’re trying to solve the problem that followers of Jesus want to reach their circle of friends and family, but they often don’t know what to say or how to do it—we’re here for you.
Because…you never know how God might use your neighbor.