Pray for Orlando, Pray for US

I didn't hear about the shooting in Orlando until after church yesterday. So I wasn't able to say anything about it then, but I need to say something to my church and community.

First, I grieve and mourn with the loved ones affected by this tragedy. I keep the families, friends, and loved ones in my prayers and thoughts. I pray that the community of Orlando, churches, and Christians everywhere will rally together for strength, comfort, and healing with no other cause or purpose than that we need to see the best of humanity in action during this time.

Which brings me to my next thought: Why is this about guns? Why is this about religion? Why is this being used for political debate? Why is this dividing us further? We should be coming together in peace to support people during a great loss. I've lived in small towns of less than 1500 people for 7 years of my life. Tragedies happen and the town comes together to be there for each other regardless of race, class, or anything else. We come together because we need each other. We need community. We need to live together in Peace and Love.

Instead, we fight over gun rights, gay rights, religious rights, and divide ourselves. It is too soon for that. It is during the difficult times that we need each other to lean on. We need more good in the world, not more arguing. We need more peace, not fighting. We need to come together, not push each other farther apart.

The shooting in Orlando was an act of hate and violence. We do not need to add to it with our bickering. We need to come together. We need to pray. Pray for Orlando. Pray for comfort. Pray for Healing. Pray for Us.

Because, at the end of the day, we are all humans. We were not made to fight and bicker and put more darkness into the world. We are made to Love and be Light.