Thursday - We All Bleed Red and We All Need to Breathe

Inspiration
Carry each others' burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Reading and Learning

Michael has been moving right along with his schoolwork but the rest of us have been slacking a little the last two days. Schedules have been off this week and our morning routine completely went out the window. Tomorrow I will regroup and make a workable plan for next week.

Outdoor Fun

Our outside time is being mostly consumed with these sweet babies.

They are definitely loved!

The chickens loved getting fed greenery from all over the yard.

Green beans, turnips and lettuce are growing well in the garden. I thought I had bought a pack of radish seeds but when I got home I discovered I had bought turnips so  . . . I planted turnips. I thinned them out a little today since they came up so thick.

On My Mind

I didn't post yesterday. I wanted to but until I could address this one issue burning on my mind, heart and soul anything I might write felt paltry. So I sat for two hours on my front porch and tried to formulate the words. But they wouldn't come. I watched the videos. I read the personal accounts of witnesses. I read the words of those who knew George Floyd personally. And I wept. I can't stop crying inside. But this isn't about me. And although this isn't about me, the only way I know how to write about this is from what I personally have seen.

One of my very best friends is black. Through our friendship over the last couple of years I have come to understand (and yet be totally perplexed and dismayed by) so much. I've seen the difference in how we are treated. I've felt the stare of those who judge. I've mentioned ideas of things we could do, places we could go and gotten the response "I can't do that. I'm black." I've seen the caution in approaching new people and situations.

 And honestly, at first I thought it was over reaction.

It's not.

I thought we as a society were better than that.

We aren't.

 And that makes me angry.

 It makes me angry for my beautiful niece and nephew who are black. It make me angry for the little boy I provide childcare for who is black.  I don't want to see them step into adulthood in a world where they have to think extra hard about where it is safe to go, how to behave to avoid judgement, confrontation, or danger to their very lives, simply because of the color of their skin. It makes me angry for my friend, and for my friend's family. It makes me angry for every single human being who is created in the image of God and yet treated as less than in any way simply because of the color of their skin.

My sister posted this on Facebook this morning -

The question that's burning in my mind. HOW? How do I prepare him for the world he has to face. Just how?? It's cruel. It's wrong. His world could be much more complicated and mean than I have to deal with, simply because his skin is dark. That's all. The only reason. How do I prepare and protect his tender little heart? I don't even know.

I don't have all the words. I'm still processing how to share all the things heavy on my heart and mind right now. But as I process I will continue to share because I can no longer sit in silence.

I don't have all the words. I'm still processing how to best share the things pressing on my heart and mind right now. But as I process I will continue to share because I can no longer sit in silence.

 I will speak so others can breathe.

Quote of the Day

If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you realize that your liberation and mine are bound up together, we can walk together.
~ Lila Watson