Love Thy Neighbor

I am appalled  and incredulous at the amount of people that are spewing hate and discrimination and exclusion right now.  Not just people that typically share outrageous opinions without bothering to know their facts - but many people that I consider intelligent, kind Christians. 

The many acts of violence in our world do scare me.  They do make me want to take my children and relocate to a tiny self sufficient cabin in northern Canada and hide forever.  As a mother, OF COURSE I want my children protected.

But not at the expense of them growing up and thinking it is acceptable to turn their back on another human that is suffering.  That cannot be the example I set for my child. 

I am a stay at home mom in a small city far away from the action.  I am limited in what I can do to help an entire population that needs way more than I can give.  But I can pray.  And I can use my voice to combat some of the hate I see scrolling across my Facebook feed.  And I can have meaningful conversations in my home with my children about compassion and acceptance and empathy.  I can teach my children to be people that may one day be standing on the shores of Greece handing out water bottles and blankets.  And if that happens, I will be scared again...but also so incredibly proud.

Because...

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR. 

Not just your white American neighbors.  Not just your Christian neighbors.  Not just your appropriately vetted neighbors.  Love all your neighbors.  The ones that need a shower, the ones that need food, the ones that are so afraid that they abandon their homes and flee to countries that don't want them. 

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR.

I cannot imagine fleeing my home with my children to who knows where, only with what I can carry - at the mercy of whoever I meet along the way.  I get frustrated when my van needs repairs and I am without wheels for two hours.  We are spoiled.  And it is causing outrageous, privileged vitriol from so many people - people I consider friends and even family.  I just hope that this makes those people stop for a moment and consider whether what they are saying aligns with what they believe.  And I hope they take a few more moments and research what is really happening with these refugees on the shores of Greece and other countries. 

Less hate, less discrimination, less exclusion, less fear.

More compassion, more empathy,  more prayers, more concern...more LOVE.

Love for ALL our neighbors.