Waiting For Justice

Well, both sides of the case have been heard and closing arguments have been issued.  Now comes the wait for justice.  It's been more than a year since 17 year old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman.  In all of this time, we've seen protests, interviews and the trial.  It's been a long journey to get to some sort of closure.

As a parent this case hit close to home.  The events of February 26, 2012 further proves that there really is no safe place for our children.  And that breaks my heart because my kids are getting older.  They'll soon be at an age when they'll be able to go out on their own without my or the Mr's parental supervision.  Heaven forbid they get mistaken for criminals and then end up in altercation that results in the loss of their lives.

The reality is our world is full of people like George Zimmerman.  People who let their emotions get the best of them and cause them to do things that those of us who have better holds on self control wouldn't do.  If you watch the news, you see it happening everyday-child abuse, domestic violence, etc.  For me this case isn't about whether Zimmerman is a bad person or not.  It's about the fact that he made a bad decision.

The fact that he ignored and disregarded the specific do's and don'ts of his position as a community watch leader and that ignored the instructions of 911 emergency personnel proves that he made a bad decision.  As is with any choice, he now has to live with the consequences of those actions.  Actions that have left two parents without their son.

Whatever the outcome in this trial, I hope that this case will help to reform Stand Your Ground laws.  I hope that it will open people's eyes more to the emotional responsibility it takes to own a gun.  And if you're the type of person to get easily angered or impassioned that you make the choice to not carry or own a gun.  I hope it's a lesson to our younger generation that if they notice someone following them to not only keep walking but to call 911.  This way if something happens, your side of the story is documented.

Then take it one step further after the 911 call and start screaming for help.  I know that we often train our kids to put up a physical fight when put in life threatening situations.   However, we do need to teach our children that there are other steps you can take before resulting to using your hands to protect yourself that could actually prevent their intended attacker from striking.

At the end of the day, we have to pray for our world.  We have to pray over our loved ones and cherish the time that we have them.  We have to pray for those persons we appoint to positions of leadership.  Most importantly we have to learn to respect life because it's so precious.