Loving Those Who Make it the Hardest

I don't usually post on here about tragedy or serious world happenings, but in light of the recent shooting in Las Vegas, I feel the need to put something out into the universe. I started this blog to have my voice heard so why shouldn't I use this as a platform to do just that?

My heart has been breaking for years now... every single time I hear about a shooting or a bombing or an attack against humanity, I lose a piece of hope in our physical world. It hits me like a wrecking ball into the gut. And the thing about being a parent is that you, all of the sudden, begin vividly imagining other people's reality. As much as it hurts to think about, many victims end up being someones children. And if not children, then someones mother or father or best friend. All I can think about is raising my kids in a world where there is a real possibility that if they do something as simple as go to a concert, they could get killed. 

As I was getting ready for bed last night, my friend called me. I missed the call by a few seconds, but it was immediately followed by a text telling me her and her husband had been involved in a mass shooting, but that they were ok. As I called her back, I began trembling thinking about how I knew at least 4 other people who were attending the same music festival in Las Vegas. I spent the next 2 hours frantically checking on people through social media and texting. Thankfully, everyone I personally know was physically unharmed but I know this will be an emotional journey that I wouldn't wish on anyone. 

Today all social media outlets were bombarded with words of sorrow, prayers, mourning and reminders to focus on loving and not hating. As I was immersed in my phone, I kept thinking over and over again "What can I do? What can I do? I need to do something!" I've made it a point to love my community and even go to other countries and love others who need support. I teach my children to only show patience and love to their peers who might be mean to them or say bad things. WHAT CAN I DO TO CHANGE THIS?!?!?! 

Then it hit me. A couple weeks ago I got to hear Bob Goff speak, author of the best selling book Love Does. At one point he made a comment that really stuck to me. He explained that of course it's easy to love our friends and the people we engage with on a regular basis. Our family members, the people who we go to church with, families that we get to know from our kids' schools and sports teams. Even our next door neighbor who might frustrate us with loud music... we will still be there for them and love on them when they get sick. But guess who needs some serious intentional love more than all those people we do life with? Caleb Sharpe, the 15 year old who shot up Freeman High School in Washington last month killing 1 and injuring others. Esteban Santiago-Ruiz who opened fire at the Fort Lauderdale airport killing 5 and injuring 6. And as hard as it is to even put this in writing, Richard B. Spencer desperately needs someone to show him what unconditional love and the grace of Jesus is. 

Socrates once said, "Those who are hardest to love, need it the most." Have you ever REALLY sat down and thought about that? Think of the person you can't stand.... even if you claim to not 'hate' someone, think of that one person who you just cannot wrap your head around. That person that you've bad mouthed, even in your mind. Who you know you will NEVER be able to agree with and would like nothing more than to just scream in their face about all the horrible things they've done or talked about or believed. Now, imagine yourself just hugging them and telling them how much you love them.... Can you do it? Can you really imagine it happening? 

In order for anything to change, the cycle has to be broken. The Las Vegas shooter is dead, but would we be able to show him love if he was still alive? Can we love the thousands of killers and rapists sitting in our prisons? What about the corrupt, cheating corporate leaders? Those who we more likely come into contact with on a regular basis. Don't you dare think this doesn't pertain to you. This hate is all around us on every level. Look past your little bubbles.

This is a challenge. Do some serious internal searching and get to work. If we don't start loving on the evil-doers right now, there may not be a future for our children to love in at all.