DAILY DEVOT IONAL 35

Gail Armstrong

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers & sisters, even though they are strangers to you. - 3 John 1:4-5

A JOURNEY OF HEALING FOR THIS COUNTRY

This country is hurting. It is hurting at every level of society and we need to get back to being kinder to each other. Violence is intruding into every level of our society - even to the youngest. Time and again you read of children, even at the elementary level, that are using the basest of violence to deal with encounters of bullying. Children using guns and knives in retaliation.

Jesus advocated for inclusiveness. We are becoming more and more separate from Jesus' teachings about what God expects of us. He taught us to turn the other cheek and to share with those in need. Children need to see that violence is unacceptable and that comes from the adults in their lives. They cannot learn kindness if they do not see it at home. Jesus taught a different way of living and we need to be examples of it. In order for this country to start to heal we need to put into practice what Jesus preached.

QUESTIONS

1. Where can we start? What can we as a church do to lead people to this consciousness?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, We come to you with heavy hearts asking for your guidance. We ask you to open our hearts and open our eyes to the needs of our communities. Help us to show the kindness that is so needed today. We ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN.