I was pulled over today for speeding. The officer did not know me nor did I know him, but we each showed one another a mutual display of respect in our interaction. He was doing his job, and I had made a mistake in trying to hurry home to get started with a moving project that led to our paths crossing.
He ran my information, and in the end we talked more about how our individual days were going. We talked about the situations and circumstances within our society that have led interactions such as his and mine to play out much more negatively. Some of these turned out deadly, like with George Floyd. We talked about the situation that led to him to pulling me over.
In the end we both thanked each other for our mutual displays of respect and agreed to take a “selfie” together to help tell our story.
I can’t stress enough that NO demographic and/or profession of people are all bad. Neither of us are the enemy.
We can continue to fight against each other until we are literally “black and blue”, or we can show one another the respect we inherently deserve, not as “black man” and “blue police officer”, but as humans. None greater, none less…Just mutual respect as human beings.
Think of a time when YOU saw a person of color who was not being treated with respect.
I-PHONE, I-PAD, I-POD. TRY I-PRAY! GOD IS ALWAYS LISTENING!
#Heartwarming #storyof my life #inspiration
My Commentary:
This story is not really about a traffic ticket. It is about something our world desperately needs: the recognition of one another’s humanity.
The white police officer and the Black driver began their encounter as strangers. Each could have approached the situation carrying assumptions, fears, or resentment. Instead, they chose respect. That choice changed everything.
This is where healing begins. The Bible teaches that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. Before we are Black or white, rich or poor, police officer or citizen, Republican or Democrat, we are children of God. Our deepest identity is not found in labels, but in our shared humanity.
What is especially powerful is that neither man ignored reality. They acknowledged that difficult and sometimes tragic interactions have occurred between police and citizens. They did not pretend those wounds do not exist. But they also refused to allow those larger tensions to define their personal encounter. They chose to see each other as individuals rather than stereotypes.
That is a profoundly Christian act.
Jesus consistently looked beyond labels. Others saw tax collectors, sinners, Samaritans, lepers, and outsiders. Jesus saw people. He saw souls. He saw brothers and sisters deserving of dignity and respect.
The phrase, “Neither of us are the enemy,” may be the most important line in the story. Too often society teaches us to divide the world into opposing camps. Yet Jesus reminds us that the true enemies are hatred, prejudice, fear, and indifference. When we allow those forces to take root, everyone loses.
Respect does not solve every problem. It does not erase injustice or eliminate disagreement. But it creates the possibility for understanding. It opens a door where hostility would have built a wall.
In the end, this story offers a simple but profound lesson: when we stop seeing categories and start seeing people, we move closer to the Kingdom of God.
Not Black man and white officer.
Not citizen and police.
Simply two human beings, each bearing the image of God, treating one another with the dignity that image deserves. And that is where peace begins.
What I do in 62 Chapters of WHAT MAKES AMERICA AMERICA is tell the American Story, concluding with a letter from Elvis. This is a special challenge inherent in unifying a polarized nation around a common understanding of our history.
I’d like for you to tell me how I’ve done. Click on here to my Amazon page https://a.co/d/00Lyqe1C and read the first 13 Chapters for FREE. I really want to hear from you!!
