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This weekend, the nation mourned and voiced its outrage over the tragic events of Charlottesville, Va. Social media was filled with posts voicing individual's thoughts and prayers. Yesterday, churches across the country decried racism in all forms.

The righteous anger was warranted. Racism has no place in the Christian faith.

Galatians 3:26-29 says: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Today, as I think about the situation, I keep coming back to one question: What do we do now?

Fortunately, we have people who are already pointing the way. Showing us that we can be better.

People like Jerutha and Debbie. Though they live in different parts of town and come from different backgrounds, they have bonded at the Buckner Family Hope Center at Wynnewood in Dallas.

Debbie helped Jerutha learn to read. Jerutha became Debbie’s friend. Because they were willing to reach out to each other, differences don’t matter when they’re together.

“We have a special bond,” Jerutha said. “It’s like a friend, a mother and a pal. And don’t mess with the bond. Every time I dial the number, she’s there to support and help me. Even when I say something that isn’t even close to being right, she’s supportive and encourages me.”

People like Lauren and Levi who go to my church. They’re buddies. I can’t remember a time they weren’t. It doesn’t matter that one has Down Syndrome and one doesn’t. He always sits next to her. She always waits for him. They learn the Bible together. They laugh together.

It’s only appropriate that the lesson this morning in the children’s ministry at my church was scheduled to teach children to love others who may not be like them. Lauren and Levi were featured front and center.

People like Jerutha, Debbie, Lauren and Levi should be elevated as examples – for children and adults. Let us all know someone like them and become more like them. Let us follow their example: loving every person who comes across our paths and teaching others to do likewise.

We have voiced our outrage. How will we now love others this week?

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. -1 John 4:19-20 

Written by John Hall, associate director of public relations for Buckner International.

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