On the Rabbit Hole Side of Normal

It feels like we have all fallen down a rabbit hole. First the COVID-19 put everyone’s lives on hold, and then just as my home state of Michigan started easing restrictions and getting back to “normal”, another international disaster hit.

I remember turning on the TV the morning of Sunday May 24 to see that Downtown Grand Rapids had been vandalized in response to George Floyd being suffocated by a police officer. Unbeknownst to me, the nation had erupted in protest overnight and our hometown had been targeted as a protest site. Businesses had windows smashed, many had been looted. One had been burned to the ground. Police from the neighboring suburb of Wyoming had come in to help control the rioting. That move resulted in five police cars being torched.

Across the nation, similar stories trickled out about similar demonstrations being staged across the nation. In a few more days, protesters were making their voices heard around the world. Social media had to get their two cents into the fray, with posts supporting Black Lives Matter as well as others insisting that All Lives Matter. Companies from all areas quickly put up posts condemning the actions of the four officers involved and ensuring everyone who wanted to take the time to read their announcements that they were taking steps to ensure equality and educating employees in tolerance.

But that all happened in the weeks that followed. That Sunday morning, the news focused on a different aspect of the situation. People had flooded the downtown area with shovels and brooms. Neighbors of all ages and colors were stepping up to help clean up the mess left by the demonstrators. Broken windows were being boarded up, streets and businesses were being swept clean of debris. Someone was handing out donuts to volunteers. Someone else was supplying bottles of water. Others didn’t pay any heed to social distancing protocols – they were willingly giving hugs and prayers to those whose lives had been affected by the events of the night before.

The following Saturday, a group from our church gathered at the epicenter of the riots and we walked those streets, stopping and praying for the businesses and homes there caught in the anger and violence. Many of the boarded-up windows now sported murals volunteers painted over the plywood.  There were a lot of Black Lives Matter messages, as well as hearts, flowers, and cheery landscapes. A group had set up at Rosa Parks Circle and were singing Christian tunes. We stopped to join in singing a few songs and prayed with them. They were planning to also do a prayer walk after the song service ended.

I’m not sure what the right response is to what happened to Mr. Floyd that fateful day. I do know what the officers did was murder, and I’m glad all four are currently in jail, awaiting trial for their actions. Everyone agrees that’s fair and right.

I think most also agree it’s wrong for rioters to punish innocent business owners for the actions of those four out of control officers.

But everything caught in between – the anger, the protests, the arguments, and actions – that’s murky water that there is no consensus on.

So, for now, we keep praying to the only one who can really heal these issues. Pray for healing, pray for community, pray for peace.

Jesus, we need your healing in this nation and world. Please come soon, but as we wait, help us to be the brothers and sisters you’ve called us to be.

Amen.