it is so easy to hate

it seems that with the attacks in paris this past weekend, the world unified for a brief moment in grief.  and then promptly divided in pieces over the syrian refugees.  my facebook feed has been full of people with opposing views; that the united states should close its borders to all refugees, or just those that are muslim.  that we should have a database for muslims and make them carry identification cards marking them as muslim.  then there are those who want our borders open, that our country give shelter and refuge to those fleeing terror, instability, and death from their own country and government.

i find myself shocked at the hatred for these refugees.  shocked that people in government want to deny aid to men, women, and children desperate for a chance to live.  that is what syrians escaping their country want; they want a chance to live because staying means death.  staying in their country means they will be destroyed.  these people are willing to risk everything to escape.  they aren't moving.  they aren't seeking opportunity.  they are seeking survival.  why do so many see muslims as terrorists only? i am appalled at how citizens of this country are treating syrian refugees.  i am especially appalled at those who claim to be christian are acting.

hatred is so easy.  it is so easy to let hatred, fear, and judgment rule your life.  but choosing love, choosing to act upon that what our Savior has asked of us: to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort**. that is how hatred is driven out.  it won't be fast and it won't be easy.  it will take people choosing love and charity (the pure love of Christ), and to keep choosing love even in the face of overwhelming evil.  even if that evil is from people allowing hatred, fear, and bigotry to rule their lives and decisions.  because the more i choose love, the more i can let that light shine, and allow it to penetrate those around me.

this is the only world i have.  this is the only world that i can raise my daughter in.  i choose to teach lily to love those around her.  to be careful, but to never let fear rule her life and her decisions.  to teach her to not allow hatred to fester, and to remind her that we are all children of a loving Creator.  i choose to teach that by example.  because when i let fear and hatred win, that is when satan wins.  when i choose to love my neighbor, and give help to those in such desperate need, i am following my savior.  because they are not just syrians, or muslims, or refugees.  they are my brothers and sisters.  i cannot claim to be a follower of Christ and allow hatred to rule.  i cannot claim to be a Christian and not do all that i can to follow His teachings and commandments.

hatred has no place in my heart or in my home.  we choose to let love be spoken here and to carry that with us into the world.

*matthew 25:31-46
**mosiah 18:9