A few years back my husband Tim and I attended a peaceful protest at the Texas capital to speak out against the unjust treatment of refugees and immigrants at our borders. We made the decision to take our kids with us. We made signs, talked with them about why we were going to this protest and the importance of it.
If there’s only a few things that I ever manage to instill in my children it is to always stand up for what is right… even if you are standing alone. Jesus himself has spoken on the issue of taking care of the weak, oppressed, the foreigners, the widows, and the orphans. The way that we have treated refugees is wrong. After posting a photo of our family at this rally, I received a long message from someone I know, but am no longer associated with stating their disgust for us including our children in this protest. I have no shame in teaching my children to do what is right. This is a proud parenting moment for me. I will never be ashamed for teaching my kids to show up, and speak up against the wrong that is happening in the world around us. If someone has an issue with my choice to instill these values in my children, then they are the ones with the issue.
Doing the right thing has never really been popular. You will get criticized by anyone and everyone who doesn’t agree with you. That’s OK. It’s not our purpose on Earth to be liked by the most people. It is our duty to love the world around us and to point them to Jesus. I will always do my best to show my kids what it means to love big, show kindness and compassion, and to do what is right even when it’s hard. The world will never be your friend. People will try to tear you down, criticize your actions and bring you down to their level. Standing up for your beliefs and convictions sometimes means that you feel like you are standing alone, but when you’re walking in righteousness with the Lord, he will always be with you.
Zechariah 7:9-10 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
