Thoughts And Prayers

It’s been 7 days since Parkland. I have written, deleted, rewritten and stopped writing this blog several times. But with teenagers staging walk outs, survivors going to Tallahassee to talk to their state representatives, and the students all over the country planning March Of Our Lives in DC on March 24th, I need to say what’s on my heart.

You may not agree with what I say, and that’s ok. I might not agree with you either, but we all need to keep talking, compromising, and coming to conclusions for change!

First thing, It really bothers me that the term “thoughts and prayers” is becoming a political tool to signify “lack of action” or “lack of caring”. I understand that need for using a catch phrase, or a turn on words to get a point across. Most politicians practice “10 word answers” to relate to our attention deficient, news byte mentality these days. Let’s not let a topic this important, an issue that has this many layers be boiled down to a “punch line”.

With that in mind… Here are my “Thoughts and Prayers” on this issue…

Thought: The answer is yes! Yes it’s a gun problem. Yes it’s a mental health problem. Yes it’s political problem. Yes it’s a culture problem. Yes it’s an American problem. It doesn’t have to be one or the other, it can be many things at once. Can we agree that it IS a problem, and start working on a solution?

Prayer: I pray we stop talking about problems, and start talking about solutions.

 

Thought: We can all do something about this…

Prayer: I pray for more people like this in the world… Here’s how one school teacher takes time each week to look out for the lonely.

https://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/stop-bullying-strategy/

 

Thought: I believe in the right to own a gun, for hunting, for protection, even for sport. But I can’t get my head around the need for a gun that unloads 30 rounds in 15 seconds. The need for magazines that hold 25, 50 or more rounds. The need for an individual to own a military grade weapon. Or the need for a “cheat” that makes an ordinary gun an automatic weapon.

Prayer: I pray for patience, understanding and open mindedness. For myself, and for others. I understand family traditions, and generational sharing, but some of the “gun culture” escapes me…

 

Thought: David Bowie was right… “And these children that you spit on, As they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations.They’re quite aware of what they’re going through.” – David Bowie / Changes

Prayer: Keep kids like these in your prayers, as they stand up for what they believe in! Even if you don’t agree with what they say, praise them for saying it and taking a stand. There is a courage to these young men and women that needs to be celebrated and more importantly, listened to…

 

Thought: The safety of children should be a unifying cause. How can you take sides on keeping children safe? How did this become a divisive issue? Kids are in harm’s way, fix it.

Prayer: I pray that we can come together as a country, realize people/kids are dying for no good reason, and for ALL OF US to work on a solution, together.

 

Thought: Are there politicians out there willing to take a chance, to not take a side, but come with solutions? Someone who is not worried about “the left vs. the right”. Not concerned about the NRA, The Media or special interests groups. Someone who has some sort of plan to fix this issue?

Prayer: I pray a unifying figure comes forward and brings a solution to this terrible chapter in America’s history right now. Cause I will campaign for this person, like you wouldn’t believe!

 

Keep having thoughts about this issue and have open conversations with like minded, as well as opposite minded people. It’s the only way this issue will be solved. Demand it from our state, local and national representatives. We all have to work together here in the real world, they should be held to the same standard…

And more importantly keep praying. Can’t stress this enough. Prayer works, if we all came to this issue in a stance of prayer and humility, imagine what that would look like, because I know in my heart the solution would present itself!

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