We have to DO better

I am very troubled by what I see in our Country today. It’s not new, but maybe that is what is so troubling. I am troubled by the injustice, the hatred, the anger, the violence and the lack of caring and compassion. Our Country is in the midst of emerging from months of isolation and quarantine from a global pandemic. And we move right from our houses where we were sheltered in place and right into the streets to protest racial violence and injustice- in some cases these protests turn into more racial violence and injustice. It seems like everyone has gone from being “stuck” inside – to being forced to pick a side.

There is a problem in our Country. If you haven’t been a victim be grateful, but do not deny that it exists. I am fortunate to have never experienced racism personally. However, I have witnessed the ugliness of hatred. And it is clear to me that just because it isn’t my experience does not mean that it isn’t real. If we can be compassionate enough to SEE from other perspectives, hatred and anger might not be our first response. If we could have meaningful discussions and debates, instead of heated arguments full of degrading commentary we could inspire great change in this Country. We cannot always control our situation or our encounters, but we can always control how we respond.

Our law enforcement agencies, just like any other company or organization, need to do a better job of making sure that hatred is not tolerated. Covering it up or excusing it perpetuates the hatred.

When injustice happens, the culprits must be held accountable accordingly. But by blaming and acting out against a group (such as all law enforcement) because of the injustice by a few – the response perpetuates the hatred.

When protests are met with anger instead of compassion and an open ear, the response perpetuates the hatred.

I have intentionally left out Bible references today. You can pick just about any verse and God’s Word will speak to this situation, or how poorly we are responding.

We have to GET better. We have to BE better. We have to DO better.

Love God – And Love Others