Today , as I stood in my backyard, I experienced one of those so called “awe inspiring” moments…
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)
My old friend, Eric, was in town from Denver with his wife and two children. This afternoon they came over to my house for a delicious roast beef dinner with all the fixings. I hadn’t seen Eric in a year and a half. As I anxiously awaited to see him and his new family, I didn’t know what joy was just around the corner. See, Eric, a black man, and his wife Brianna, a white woman, have a beautiful 2 year old son named Malachi. On my side of the fence, we have a mixed baby ourselves in my 27 month old nephew Jayden - the cutest/my favorite kid in the world. When our guests pulled up for dinner, I ran outside with Jayden to meet them. I put him down for what I expected to be an ultimate toddler showdown, but instead, I witnessed something truly beautiful. As soon as Jayden hit the ground, he ran toward Malachi and they embraced, letting out high pitched cries of excitement. As these two little ones smiled and laughed, I couldn’t help but be overcome with joy. As we went inside for a fun night of fellowship, I was amazed with the love these children can show for a total stranger. It was simply “awe inspiring.”
Jayden and Malachi don’t see color and they don’t know hate or judgment. All they know is love and joy. I really wish we all could see the world through their eyes, through the precious eyes of a child.
As I look at how our nation is handling the issue of immigration in Arizona, I see a government that isn’t serious about correcting the problem. Regardless of your political affiliation or stance on immigration, we all have to understand that southwest’s newest law is one that not only condones, but enforces racial profiling. If you haven’t heard by now, this new law requires state law enforcers to ask for “papers” from anyone they “suspect” of being an illegal immigrant. (But fear not, law enforcers have to have reasonable cause… which is pretty much based on the color of your skin) If the suspect, regardless of citizenship, doesn’t have a birth certificate on hand, they are immediately arrested. If the party can not present a birth certificate within the designated time frame, they will be exported from the United States.
Our nation has to see how dangerous this type of law can be. While many conservatives have rushed to the defense of Arizona’s Governor Brewer, this legalized and enforced racial profiling puts Arizona among the ranks of Hitler’s Germany and Apartheid Africa. Even more discouraging, legislators in states like Oklahoma and Iowa are being inspired to put similar bills into action. Here in Tennessee, legislators are choosing a more subtle approach by quietly passing a bill that would make English the official, legal language of the volunteer state. Unlike the referendum that the city of Nashville openly voted down last year, this new approach is creeping through capitol hill
If you want to stop Tennessee from joining the ranks of Arizona, raise your voice. Pick up the phone today and call your local representative. For Lipscomb students, you can call Rep. Beth Harwell at (615) 385-0357 or overwhelm her email at rep.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov. She was elected to listen to us, so let’s make it happen!
Also, you can go join the “Do I look ‘illegal’ Day” movement on Facebook!
The United States is at a pivotal point in time in history. The wish I make tonight is that we all start seeing the world through the eyes of a child. This may be the bleeding-heart dream of a liberal, but it’s something we’re called to strive for.
