More of it.
This morning, I celebrated the commissioning of six new Stephen Ministers at our church. Our other leader, Zandra, and I had the privilege of training them, and they are each amazing caregivers, full of love and compassion. When I got home from church, I found out about the murder of 50 people in Orlando and the injury of many others.
Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." He was right.
I pray there are lots of caregivers (and hopefully some Stephen Ministers) in Orlando to provide hands-on care for so many families and friends who are grieving and for survivors who are traumatized by this act of domestic terrorism. As the aunt of a niece who is transgender, I don't understand this kind of hate. Not at all.
But I do know that responding in hate solves nothing, helps nothing. In fact, it makes the situation worse. Please do not add to the hate and fear in social media. Spread love. Spread compassion. Spread peace.
And support the helpers. There are always helpers.
Good words and advice Susan ... and now I'm singing, "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love ..."
ReplyDeleteThis has been such a hard news story to hear. I was talking to a friend earlier. I told her that we all have a friend or family member who are in the gay community. My high school class president from the class of '64 is. We love him anyway! One of my former 5th grade Sunday School boys is gay. I love him and his family anyway. Prayers for the families of those who are grieving or at the bedside are going up. Life is fragile! Handle with prayer!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the helpers. Thank you for being a helper! A few years ago, when a guy on a bike swooped by and snatched my purse in a grocery store parking lot, I immediately yelled and (futilely) ran after him. More than a dozen people did something to help me--from running after him, to driving after him, calling 911, guarding my car and groceries. Later, as my husband and I were searching a wooded area in the neighborhood behind the store to try to find the contents of my purse that he had dumped out, a man came from way down the street and asked if we were looking for something. When I said my purse had been snatched, he said, "I think your things are in my yard." He was that alert and caring, and his involvement meant I was able to recover some sentimental items I had had in my purse, plus my phone. All of those people could have just thought, "Not my problem" and kept on about their day, but instead they helped me. When I told one of the police officers that one guy had done something bad to me, but that more than a dozen had immediately helped me, greatly easing the trauma of the whole incident, he said, "There's more of us than them." There ARE more good people, and the love and care shown after a crime or tragedy do much to heal the suffering. Thank you for being a loving helper!
ReplyDeleteOh, Sharon, what a horrible thing to have happen to you...and now wonderful that helpers jumped up right away and did what they could for you. Thanks for sharing your story. There are so many good people in the world. Thanks be to God!!!
DeleteAnd in Orlando, one bad guy was the shooter, but many shielded or helped their friends, and thousands lined up afterward to give blood.
DeleteSharon, thank you for sharing your story. It resonated with me, and I'll always remember, "There's more of us than them."
DeleteThank you, Susan. I will look for the helpers. And pray for the survivors and for the families and friends of those who did not survive.
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