What Color is Courage?

When I was 22, I shared an office with a very accomplished man at an association in DC.  He taught me that orange was the color of success.  Someone told me green was the color of prosperity.  What is the color of courage?

Yesterday I awoke to the story of the Black Lives Matter protestor speaking of being shot in the leg,  How she threw herself on her sons to keep them safe.  How she realized that there were other people lying on top of her and her sons to protect them from the flying bullets...the hate of the sniper.  The protectors were wearing blue.

I hope the fact that the police officers put her family's safety over

and above their own tells her something about duty and honor.  I hope that the police officers' actions reminds her daily that the few bad actors are the exception not the rule, and yes, they should be addressed as the individuals they are. I hope she always remembers that going home to her family after a night of protest, was always a given for her.  Going home after a shift of work is never a given to police officers.  They put protecting her family above the desire to go home to loving husbands, wives, parents and children..

When the time comes to stereotype a class group of humans again, I hope that all Americans, regardless of their skin color, remember the courage of these officers.  I hope that they acknowledge that this courage is the rule not the exception, and thank God for those who leave home every day knowing that being home at the end of shift is not promised.

May the love of Christ cover all the families who are mourning losses due to hate.

The Color of Courage? In this case--Blue.

A supporter hugs a Dallas police officer at a makeshift memorial at police headquarters. Photo: carlo allegri/Reuters