We Need Love

Welcome back! A lot has been happening lately in our world. On top of being in the middle of the Corona-virus pandemic, we are in the middle of a war on racism. The unfair and incredibly cruel murder of George Floyd seemed to be a turning point for this country. Peaceful protests and marches are happening every day, along with protest turning into riots with looting and destruction of property. The news is so hard to watch lately, not because of specifically what has happened, but because it is so evident that this country is divided. It makes my heart so sad. 

I've heard people say that they have never seen so many terrible events of hatred happening before in this country. I believe it always has been happening, but now with social media and easy access to a camera, it is just easier to see the evil that is around us. We can no longer turn our heads at what is happening and has been happening for years. It is in our faces all the time now. We can no longer hide or ignore the way others treat people that have a different skin color, and the treatment they are enduring daily. 

I am white. I have never felt threatened because of my skin color. I have never had less opportunities because of my skin color. I have never been discriminated against because of my skin color. When I get pulled over I have never had a fear of my life being taken from me. I have never felt and never will be able to fully comprehend what people of color have gone through. People need to realize that these protests aren't just because George Floyd was murdered. People are rightfully fed up with how others have treated them for so long. It's not right that a human should feel any less of a person than someone else, simply based on the color of their skin. 

There is a song by Mandisa, and the chorus says, 

"We all bleed the same

We're more beautiful when we come together

We all bleed the same

So tell me why, tell me why

We're divided

If we're gonna fight 

Let's fight for each other

If we're gonna shout

Let love be the cry

We all bleed the same

Let's stand united

Let's stand united"

This song was released in 2017, but resonates with what is still happening in our country. I believe everyone has different opinions on many things. No one is exactly the same, but one thing that we should all agree on is that you should never hate or treat another person wrong based on how they look, or even what they believe in. 

In Matthew chapter 22 it says, "Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all of your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." This country needs love, and God is love. I think we are all guilty of not loving our neighbor like Jesus said. Even if you don't believe in God or are not a christian, I think it is still important to look at the words Jesus said, and have an open mind about it. Why wouldn't we want everyone to be unified. What is the point of being divided? Where does that get anyone? 

Looking back on my life I can admit that I have been ignorant at times, and not fully opened my eyes to the evil and hatred of others. I admit that I stood silent while others were suffering. I can admit I tried to say all lives matter not just black lives. I admit that I never took the time to educate myself on some of these issues, and I have repented and asked God to open my eyes. It is not right that I did that, and I will be better. We all need to be better. This life is not fair already. Why wouldn't we try out hardest to make it better? 

Last week I took Ezekiel to the playground (It's finally back open yay!). While we were playing, a black family with a young daughter came to play too. She was probably 7 years old or so. She came up to me and started asking me questions about Zeke, and saying how cute he was. She asked if she could play with us, and I said of course. She took Zeke's hand and was helping him do things on the playground. At first he was a little stand offish, but eventually he warmed up and fell in love with her! It was seriously so cute. 

I hear people saying things like "I don't see color", which confuses me. Zeke saw that she looked different from him, but I don't think he saw that she was different and thought she was bad. He was having so much fun with her. We don't need to say we can't see color. We need to embrace that we all look different, and we are all created in God's image, and we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, and we are all loved the same by God. Celebrate all the different cultures, and celebrate the accomplishments of everyone, not just people who look like you. 

We are not born knowing how to hate. It is learned. I hope we all can see what God is showing us, and seriously make a change. I want my children to grow up in a world with love and peace. Not hatred and pain. We all need to unlearn these behaviors that have led us to where we are now. The only way we can do that is by loving God, and loving others. Love like Jesus loved us. He died FOR US. We can be better.