So many posts, so many stories, so much to process and to try to understand! I have tried to sort different aspects of our society out in my heart and mind with God this past week and here is where I’m at:

• I believe that a relationship with God is the most important aspect of our lives. Jesus’ parting command was to make disciples…this is where heart and life change happens.  Matthew 28:19-20

• I believe we are to love our neighbor, and that introducing them to Jesus is the most important expression of love.  Mark 12:31

• I believe there are systemic injustices in our country that are real and need attention and action. Through my job, I know and respect many people who choose to live in under-resourced neighborhoods and manage non-profit organizations in these communities.  They all share the same stories of seeing problems in our systems.  They are on the front lines of helping others and showing the love of Christ.  I believe and respect what they say because they see it daily…I do not.  Desire Street Ministries

• I am thankful for Police Officers who serve and put their lives on the line each time they step into uniform. Many of us would hang our heads and cry each day facing or seeing some of the situations they do…most of which arise quickly without time to pray and analyze, and which involve lives. My Dad was an officer for 10 years, and I still have memories of him coming home bloody and beat-up when I was a child. Sadly, my daughter is still traumatized and affected by her Dad being shot 4 times as an officer…thankfully, he lived through that horrible incident and served for 15 years.

• I have watched the videos and read backgrounds in the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. I believe the murders are horrific and wrong, and I grieve for the families and the depravity of humanity.

• I believe that peaceful protests for change are good and our right as Americans.

• I believe riots are criminal activity deserving of legal consequences for the crime. I am so grieved by the loss of lives, businesses, and just plain loss of people’s minds in these instances. It solves nothing and people are murdered…this is not just.  Matthew 5:38-42

• I pray for our President and government leaders. I have prayed for our Presidents whether I voted for them or not. God instructs us to do so.  1 Timothy 2:1-2

• I believe that politics and the division it causes to us all has gotten out of hand. I will be transparent and say that I see valid points when truly listening to people who defend decisions on both sides. I have Republican friends and I have Democratic friends…all who are Christians. I hate seeing how politics sometimes divides us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Maybe we can help this situation by better listening to each other.? Also, I am angered by journalists who lack integrity and further seek to divide and stir trouble with misleading or false reports. Please simply report unbiased facts.

• I believe it is good and important to have friends who are NOT like you. We have such a narrow perspective of life when we surround ourselves with people who look like us; like the same things as us; or think like us. God created diversity! I love going to multi-cultural churches and have been so grateful to be a part of them during my life…it is a picture of Heaven. My daughter and I went to a church for a year that had several people/families from South Africa, Australia, Russia, and other countries. It was wonderful! I pray that God help us all to appreciate the diversity He created and to know how to love our neighbors well.