I was already up late anyway (because I stupidly took a nap in the afternoon). However, I was trying to wind down for bed. My newest bedtime ritual is to read my Bible right before going to sleep. I was preparing to do that when I saw a friend post this status and link:
"Romney wants to veto the DREAM Act and Deferred Action, and I don't think that's just. Please take 6 minutes to watch this video."
Why Honor Students Across The Country Are Being Thrown In Jail
I'll be honest... I commented on my friend's post before actually watching the video. Her headline alone was enough to make me upset (and not in favor of the conservative viewpoint). It took me a few minutes to work up to watching the video, because I knew that I would cry.
Let me tell you why. Whenever I come across any Dream Act or Deferred Actions videos, I see the faces of "my" kids. As some of you know, I have been volunteering at an after-school program for EIGHT years. Now, that is not to boast of my humanitarian endeavors or my generosity. It just paints the picture of the investment that I have had in a particular community and my deep love for my kids. They. are. mine.
People have often said that it takes a village to raise a child and I believe that to be true. With that comes a sense of responsibility and fierce loyalty to the well-being of those children. I have been volunteering at the same after school program long enough to see one my kindergartners graduate from sixth grade this year.
I attended her promotion ceremony and it was deeply emotional for me. She is a beautiful young lady and she makes me so proud, not because of how she performs in school (although she does quite well). I love her because of the type of person that she is and the type of person that she is growing into.
That being said, I have come to know and work with dozens of kids over the years whose futures are just as bright as hers. Some of which are undocumented and truth be told, it doesn't change one thing about how much I love them. Those are my kids and I get to look into their faces every week and see the hope and the potential written all over those faces.
After reading her status, my mind flashed back to recent passages that I had read about the stranger, the alien, or the foreigner. I've read over and over again in my Bible about how God commanded the Israelites to treat such people. I intend to do a more exhaustive search at a later time. But at this point, even without the extensive research, I know that God's instructions were about treating them fairly and justly.
For one second, I would like to make the sidebar distinction between what is just and what is lawful. The two are not always one in the same. Hence, the profession of lobbyists, lawyers, and judges (as well as many others that I have not named). They work to determine what is just. They interpret the law and amend it when necessary.
Now, you tell me how children who had no choice to come to this country when they were little should be punished for the "sins" of their parents. Tell me that that is just. Tell me that that is what is fair or what is right. I dare you to look me in the eyes and say that and then look my kids in the eyes and do the same thing.
But that's the problem. As long as this issue is about statistics and numbers and not actual people, it's easy to generalize and to not feel guilty about the brokenness of our immigration system. It's easy to talk about high level theories and politics and to lose sight of the fact that these are children. And, what are children? People. We're talking about people!
When are we going to wake up and smell the coffee? I believe that God is calling His people to action. He's calling His people to stand beside those who are vulnerable and need our help. I think that He's calling us to move towards a more just system. Most of all, I believe that He is calling us to compassion-- and a heart that seeks to love Him and to love our neighbors.
Please join with me in prayer and in fighting for OUR children. I urge you, on OUR behalf. Stand with us as we seek justice for our friends, our neighbors, and our families. Thank you and God bless us.
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