I must confess, when the rioting started last night my very first thought was, "keep it classy, America."
Then I remembered an important lesson I have learned from my toddler: The vast majority of the time that he acts out he is actually expressing hurt and frustration. Just yesterday he swatted at his brother's head while I was breastfeeding the baby. The issue was not that he hates his brother, but that he wanted my love and attention.
According to the law of the land justice was done. Even so there is a group of people that is hurting and frustrated. As a follower of Jesus I want to hear what they have to say, listen to their hurts and frustrations. Because of my toddler I understand that conduct (by some) that is unlawful and disrespectful is just their acting out of hurt and frustration.
In our house my son does not get away with behaving badly. There are consequences for his actions. However, I would be foolish to punish him and then ignore the heart of the matter. It takes a lot more work on my end but it's better for the whole family in the long run.
Today I'm meditating on James 1:
19My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Lord may I be quick to listen, really listen to my neighbors. To hear their hurts and frustrations and meet them right where they are.
Now I'm going to cuddle up with my toddler while he watches Daniel Tiger sing about doing something nice for his neighbor because said toodler might have tried to hit his little brother with a piece of his train track while I was pumping and typing this.
