We have far more power and influence than we know!

Our oldest son's teacher sent Vince and I a text message Saturday night and shared the following story...

.When I was reading stories to the class this past winter about cultural and racial differences, Duke spoke up and threw his arms up and said "What is wrong with people? My mom is peach and my dad is brown and I love them both!" She finished by saying "Duke is and will continue to make the world a much better place!"

My precious kids don't know anything about skin color other than that their Creator made everyone with different shades and it's beautiful. It truly is.

We have a responsibility during this time and going forward to speak up against injustice, which so many have. We also have a responsibility to talk with our children and teach them that skin color isn't a divider among people but rather it's a difference that should be celebrated.

Trust me, I understand the anger and disgust. I have seen firsthand the racism that my husband has endured and it's unthinkable that people harbor those feelings in their hearts. But I also know that destroying businesses that people have spent years and their savings to build is creating more damage and pain and bringing no justice to the situation.

While many of us aren't sure how we can be part of the solution, I do believe that starting at home with a message of love is a wonderful place to start. We can serve our community, especially during times like this. We can also teach our children that the different shades of skin is a beautiful thing. And to teach our kids to stand up for injustice when they see it. We can change this. We can raise a generation that celebrates one another rather than judges one another. We have far more power and influence than we believe.

Let's start creating change by beginning with ourselves and our families. Let's check our prejudices and our natural reactions to those that don't look like us. A smile, a kind word can go much further than we could ever know! I am incredibly optimistic about this and believe that positive change is coming. There is so much good in this world and it will overcome the evil.

Let's all be a part of that change!