For what it’s worth <3

I am choosing today to add my voice to the many being lifted about the most recent death of an unarmed black man at the hands of police. 

I would think any person with half a brain who watched the video can see that four armed officers was adequate to complete an arrest of an unarmed man without forcibly holding him to the ground with a knee on his neck until he died. 

To think that police officers would consider all of this in the line of duty; four in agreement as a crowd of people gather and beg for the man’s life while he himself pleads for relief, is beyond shocking. 

I know there are many policemen and women who would not do this, but we have on video four who did and we have multiple instances where similar things have happened.

A friend posted, these are just the ones caught on video. We know it happens and it has to stop. Our first responders must be people we can trust, that all people can trust.

To know that parents of black children have to teach them how to act beyond simply following the laws that are set in place for all citizens is an indication that we have far to go in understanding how deeply we have allowed racism to infect us. 

It is beyond my understanding how this continues to happen. 

All I have to use is my voice of influence, and knowing the hearts of those who read my stuff, I am sure I am preaching to the choir.

But if I can offer any kind of support to not only the black community but also to all people of color, then please know, I am deeply sorry for the inequity and injustices that are so much a part of our past and continue to inflict pain in our current story. 

I am, above all, a follower of Christ; and I know that all of us will one day stand before Him accountable for how we lived here. There is nothing in His teachings that condones racism.

While I speak out here against what continues to happen in our country; I do realize that because I am white, there are aspects and perceptions that I am not aware of. 

When I am made aware of my own sin and my own flawed thinking, I will repent and I will pray for God to lead me in His path of righteousness as I share this journey with all people who travel alongside me. 

I believe the ideal that all men and women are created equal in the image of God, but I am very much aware that there have been and still are people who would qualify that with their own parameters.

I pray to have a heart that is sensitive to pick up on any overt or covert or subtle racism in myself or any one around me and that God would give me the conviction to repent for my own sin and boldness to speak up on behalf of what I know is right and true when I hear it or see it in others. 

If you agree with this, humbly bow in prayer and ask Him for help to live out the love of Christ in this world in whatever way He has gifted you to do it. Pray to speak in your sphere of influence and to willingly become uncomfortable with those who are comfortable with injustice.