It Shouldn't Stop Here

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." - Psalm 37:7

The verdict of "not guilty" was read today concerning the Trayvon Martin case. Gun violence continues to be extremely problematic in the communities of America. While many are hurt, angered and upset by George Zimmerman receiving this verdict, a bigger issue is at hand. Everyday we loose precious children, women, and men to gun violence. 

During this trial, many people throughout the nation showed their support in various ways. While I understand the united front I am hoping that it takes on an even bigger meaning. Now that the case is over, who will cry out for the next victim? Who will dare to speak out on the behalf of the young men and women who die everyday without as much as a whisper?

 My thoughts and prayers go out to the Martin family and to every other family who has lost a loved one due to senseless violence. I hope this verdict sparks action from communities across this nation to take gun violence seriously. Vengeance does belong to God but responsibility rests with us.

We are responsible for our communities and our families. I am currently pregnant with a baby boy. Thankfully, I look at the news headlines of yesterday and verdicts like today with a quiet strength. The hope of my family and my son are not in man but in the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite what outcome this case has, God is the same today as he was yesterday. His love has not changed. It is imperative that we champion the message of Christ. It is not a message that allows us to lie down and roll over in fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear. It is a message of hope that should propel us to take responsibility for our fellow man. We ought to reach out and love our neighbor as ourselves. 

My prayer is that we take gun violence and other social ills seriously. This is our nation, and our community. If we do not care for it no one else will. Also, I pray that the united effort of support given to the Martin family extends to an even bigger effort. It does not matter if the person is black, white, yellow, orange, brown, or purple gun violence must stop. There are too many bodies in our streets. What are we going to do about it? It shouldn't stop here - this should only be the beginning. Let's find peace in God and take action.

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