First, my continued prayers go out to the families of the 11 people that have been found dead and the 150 persons uncounted for in the Surfside, Florida condo collapse.
We will need to appreciate life, respect life, and learn to protect life so that others around us, will see a proper example of such. What does that look like? While, according to dictionary.com, the word appreciate is defined as recognizing the full worth of. How much is your life worth? Hmmm, $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, $1,000,000…etc., after you think about that, think about the life of someone else. In some cases, people have lost their lives for less, and it seems that only their family and friends care, unless it is a white police officer killing someone black. What is wrong with us? Why is some killing acceptable? Why, because the government says abortion is legal, that terminating a pregnancy does not get the same upraise? Are you glad that your mother did not abort you? Who formed you in the womb of your mother? The Bible says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully, and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm) 139:13-16) Allah (God) set up procreation long before our parents meet. He saw us coming! Again, how much is your life worth?
They say, “What you eat do not make me fat or sick,” but if your rebellion spills into the environment, it helps erode the moral fabric of the whole. Every decision we make either adds to our righteousness or takes away from our righteousness, but we must choose correctly to justify our existence in Allah’s (God’s) mind. Minister Farrakhan said, “We are alive because Allah thinks of us!” Please do not think that Allah (God) needs us to be who He is, but we need His mercy and grace 24/7 to make it through this law-breaking society. The Bible says, “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)
We need to continually strive to improve and rid ourselves of rebellion against Allah’s (God) laws. Again, how much is your life worth? Could it be that our worth is tied to our obedience to Allah (God)? Do you think you are valuable to Allah (God)? If so, why? If not, why not? Have you ever thought about your value to Allah (God)?
The Bible says, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.” (Titus 2:7) We need to learn to really respect the life that Allah (God) allows us to live! We may think that we do, but do we? As a whole, No! According to dictionary.com, respect is defined as deference to a right, privilege, privileged position or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment.
Do you kill someone you respect? Do you rob someone you respect? Do you rape someone you respect? Do you steal from someone that you respect? Do you disobey someone you respect? Do you abuse someone that you respect? Do you lie to someone you respect? Do you gossip or slander someone you respect? Can you break a law and respect the law at the same time? Can you break Allah’s (God’s) laws and respect His laws at the same time? The Bible says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
Finally, we need to learn to protect life! They say, “Self-preservation is the first law in nature,” it seems like animal life gets that, but some humans do not. When you look at some programs about animals, the offspring is protected by its mother! We need to protect our lives more and have respect for individuals who are willing to assist us in this effort. We need to ensure we are giving credit where credit is due. Yes, we need to get rid of the bad law enforcement officers, but we absolutely need good law enforcement officers.
I meet a lady named Pamela Croom about six weeks ago who is a survivor of domestic violence. According to Pam, “It was 18 years.” She survived and she looks forward to helping other women who are in an abusive relationship leave to protect their life. “The children go through the abuse with you, and the healing from it is different for every child.” Pam was shot in the chest and mouth by the late father of her four children in 2019, but she survived. This is another family that I have agreed to work with, and I am focusing on assisting Pam’s daughter Kyonna who is 14. On this past Saturday, June 26, 2021, Pam and I had lunch at the Olive Garden to interview her for a story about domestic violence. However, after talking with her for hours, I realized her daughter Kyonna was another reason Allah (God) brought them into my life. I went to the house and talked with Ky outside for hours. Kyonna said, “You get me!” I thank Allah (God) for this opportunity to help others learn how to appreciate, respect, and protect their lives more so our community will reap the benefits. Stay safe and informed!
