Many will look at this post today and assume I’m a sanctimonious racist.  Some will accuse  me of being out of touch with the world.  The truth is, I’m a white woman.  I’m a Christian.  I’m a human being. I will turn 78 next month.  I’ve made a lot of mistakes in that time. I’ve also been through a lot of tragedy, disaster and seen how hate and anger can fester and turn ugly.  I must admit, however, that I’ve never seen parts of my city go up in flames set by a group of angry activists and criminals who enjoyed walking off with someone else’s property.

This year started out in the toilet and has basically washed itself into the sewer this week.  We should be learning much through our time in the “desert.”  The imposed isolation should’ve shown us how important we are to each other.  Our reliance on others should’ve created a void in our lives.  Our dependence on the outside world should’ve given us a glimpse of hope in a time when a germ took over the economy, jobs and small businesses.  This time in the wilderness should’ve made us appreciative of each other.  Instead, life in the world outside of our cocoons goes on with an insatiable flame that can only be quenched by God Himself.

A police action turned into what appears to be the murder of a perpetrator.  I say that with trepidation, because the investigation into the action has not been completed.  I am not say whether or not the officer is guilty or innocent, because I don’t know all the facts.  Still, the act appears to have been one that could be construed as racially motivated.  The jury is still out on that also.  A man died.  He was black.  He had a life.  He had a family. He was a Christian.   He was a human being.  All of that has been lost in the din of riotous voices and an angry mob.

I was angry when I heard about this.  I knew that it would stir more rage among the citizens of my town.  I also knew that the facts were not all clear and the crime was not yet investigated, proven or tried in a court of law.  Patience is difficult when a crime is committed against humanity.  When a white woman was killed by a black police officer a few years ago in Minneapolis, there was rage and anger too.  The taking of a life is always wrong no matter who takes the life or who has been killed.

So within a few days of this incident, my city has endured  breaking and entering, looting violent acts of arson and more killing or bodily injury.  This morning I read that many businesses across Minneapolis and St. Paul have been set on fire and completely destroyed by those who use this to make a point or to just take advantage of a situation for their own benefit.  Many of these businesses were owned by people of various ethnicities.  They were struggling to survive the restrictions of the pandemic and now will probably be facing bankruptcy or worse.  Their employees will no longer have jobs and the community will be devoid of their services.

Now other cities across the country are getting on the bandwagon and starting similar actions in their communities.  What purpose does any of this serve?  Are we supposed to cower to a group of vigilantes with knives, guns, rocks and incendiary devices?  Are we to sit back while activists take over our cities?  I believe that all things in life are intended for a reason.  I really am having a hard time realizing what the reason is for this.  Instead of solving problems reasonably, we have turned to bullying tactics and hate.  We no longer sit down and discuss things.  Instead we attack when someone doesn’t agree with our thinking.  What happened to us?

Pray for my city.  Pray for our country.  Pray that people will learn the value of life in all senses of the word.  Pray for the nation to come back to God.