Laid to Rest

"Laid to rest" means to bury.

July 12, 2015 marked 10 years that we laid to rest my hero, my daddy, signifying the completion of his earthly life. Removed from a visible place of physical significance and laid to rest with respect and dignity, he now resides in heaven, never to be forgotten.

Not only do we lay bodies to rest, but we lay objects, ideas, and even conversations to rest.

On Friday, July 10, in our great state of South Carolina, we laid to rest all three:

- An object which flew on our State House grounds for over 50 years
- An idea, which for some, symbolized racial hate
- A conversation as to whether or not the object should be removed

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you may have been laid to rest. For goodness' sake, check your pulse!

Our state immediately was thrust onto center stage in all of the news headlines following a horrendous massacre by an evil filled young man inside a church as people prayed and studied the Word of God together. The hate which had taken root in his heart and mind spewed violently from his mouth as he pulled the trigger, gunning down nine innocent South Carolinians...

after experiencing, for an hour, the exact opposite of what he believed people with dark colored skin were all about. 

In the moments following, the media circled SC's treasured city of Charleston like buzzards, smacking their lips in anticipation of more chaos and death to come.

Little did they know, Charleston is different from Baltimore and Ferguson. Notice I didn't say perfect, but different. There were no riots, no destruction of property, no unruly protests or ignoring the authority of the police force. Just the holding and hugging of those burdened with heavy grief, peaceful prayer vigils, and even hearts displaying grace and forgiveness.

Someone told me a few days ago that a group of pastors in Charleston, shortly following the incident, walked up to a group of protestors seeking to fuel more hate and, with great courage, shut them down.

The media and the world witnessed a community rallying together with prayer, hugs, tears and deep Christ-like love.

You see, this wasn't the scene the world was expecting. My state sought to show sympathy in the midst of tragedy, compassion in time of crisis, and the immeasurable love of God to those hurting. Anyone expecting anything different dropped their jaws in awe and wonder.

THIS is the South Carolina I know and love!

As the Confederate flag conversation ignited again after this senseless tragedy based on race, the conversation was heated on both sides, fueled by passion for and against the removal of the flag.

But when all was said and done, just 21 days after the massacre, our state did the right thing. 

The Confederate flag was removed.

Not because the flag killed anyone, but because for many people it has been an offensive, hurtful reminder of a heart disease called hate.

South Carolinians as a whole agreed to stay calm, to remain civil, and to show the world that the destruction of people and property never accomplish anything good.

Evil was stopped in its ugly tracks for at least a few moments as, in silence, the flag was removed from a place of honor. Have we overcome all evil? Of course not, but we moved a symbol of offense from a significant place of honor to a resting place with dignity and respect. It now resides in The Confederate History museum, never to be forgotten.

An object, idea, and conversation were laid to rest in SC, but God calls all of us to lay our own sin, including hate, prejudices, and unforgiveness at the feet of His Son, Jesus Christ.

To be forgotten.

That's real freedom and real peace!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-2a NIV)

My Pleasure,
Melanie




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