Welcome to the Easter edition of our weekly Five Minute Friday link-up!
If you’re new here, we’re especially glad you’re here!
Click here to learn more about the link-up.
Are you on the FMF mailing list? We send out special announcements and opportunities for writers that you won’t want to miss.
This week’s FMF writing prompt is: DENY
Trigger warning: The following post includes mention of an officer-involved fatal incident that may be triggering for some.
Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . . GO.
You might have heard about it on the news — or maybe you haven’t, because the protests and marches have remained peaceful.
On the morning of Monday, April 4th, a white police officer conducted a traffic stop one mile from my church. A black driver named Patrick Lyoya, a refugee from DRC, got out of the car, refused to comply with the officer, ran, wrestled for a long time with the officer, did not follow instructions to stop resisting, got pinned to the ground, and was shot in the back of the head by the officer.
The video was released to the public this week. I told myself I wasn’t going to watch it, but then I did. It was horrible. My stomach still hurts. I couldn’t fall asleep the night after I watched it.
One moment Patrick had life, and the next second it was snuffed out. Gone.
It’s my husband’s birthday today. He is a black man. From an African country. By the grace of God, he still has breath.
It’s also Good Friday. The day my Lord was nailed to a cross. One moment He had life, and the next second it was snuffed out. By my sin. I did that. It makes my stomach hurt to think about it.
Jesus Christ gave up His life so all who believe in Him could have eternal life, life everlasting, abundant life in His presence that never ends.
Our time is short in this world. We don’t know when it might be snuffed out. We don’t know whether we’ll have another birthday or Easter this side of eternity.
But the promise of eternal life with God is held out for all who will believe and put their trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
Amen?
+++
Join the link-up with your own five-minute freewrite below, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment. And may you have a blessed Easter weekend!
Deny the truth if you must dare,
deny we judge colour of skin,
deny the fact we need to care
about those who, are in fact our kin.
Deny we’re teaching CRT,
deny sympathy for the Klan,
deny the fact we have to be
a brotherhood of every man.
Deny the loathing in our hearts,
deny the bigotry we teach,
deny sincere but fumbled starts,
and shout that we can never reach
a place where we can offer kindness
through a lens of colour-blindness.
If I may be allowed an epilogue…
Today I was watching the 1971 film “Brian’s Song”. I want to know how to live and die with courage. This movie is my best resource.
But beyond this, beyond Brian Piccolo’s cancer, it’s a true tale of a black man and a white man who learned tolerance, and understanding, and love.
There are no dog whistles here. This film is about the people we need to be.
About what I need to be
I don’t know how you do this every week, Andrew! You’re very gifted.
Kate, thank you so much. I’m just so honoured to be a part of Five Minute Friday.
My world has narrowed a lot in recent weeks, but this community gives me the incentive to keep going.
How close to home that disturbing event is for you, Kate! It is so hard to walk the balance these days. I want to “watch and pray,” and yet the darkness in our world is overwhelming. I pray for you that God will override the stomach aches and give you peace. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Amen! I heard about it, but haven’t really looked into the incident. But every time someone dies at the hands of an officer, I cringe. What’s so sad, is that sometimes, people decide that ‘suicide by cop’ is their best option. Our only hope is in Jesus.
This is very sad, Kate. May he rest in peace. May we learn to love by being filled with the love of God. May He give us hearts of flesh.
Happy birthday to your hubby.
Happy Easter to you all and may the Risen Christ fill you with His Joy.