I am not sure why we have had such an uptick in violence in the world lately. I say that sarcastically, because it is the direct failure of a moral compass in this world. There is a very sad state of affairs in this country. We are pitting each other against each other, when in reality, we should be loving one another. Are there racial differences in this country? Yes. Are there cultural differences in this country? Yes. Has there always been this? Emphatically, yes. There is a dramatic difference in white culture and black culture. Of course there is. Does that mean we should hate each other? No. Does that mean we cannot find common ground and try to understand each other? No. We should all strive to know our neighbors, and to know each other’s history. We should all strive to understand each other’s point of view. Every single person has a unique story to tell, which makes everyone beautiful. Harmony, faith, hope, and love are things that our God has taught us from the beginning.

The laws were very clear in Matthew 12:30-31. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.  Even written thousands of years ago, sounds pretty simple and explained very well to me.  I mean, I think that even my four year old can understand that.  Nowhere in there does he say that there is an option for this either.  He says love, which to me means finding common ground on any differences.  It’s not about hash-tagging, it’s about a fundamental lack of patience and kindness in the world, especially towards your fellow humans.  In the first letter of John, Chapter 2, he clearly writes that he who does not love his brother is in darkness. He also says this is nothing new to anyone, they should already know this. We too often find ourselves not being the neighbors we should be, especially to one another.  All lives in this world matter, from conception to death and into the Heavenly realm.  I pray every day for people to have a conversion of heart, to be soft and come to know each other better.  I am not saying that we do not speak our minds and we do not protest, in a peaceful manner, to bring about changes in culture and thinking.  I am speaking about having the presence of mind to know we are all brothers and sisters and we should treat each other as such.  Have conversations.  Have dialogue that’s constructive.  Love each other as you love yourself.