The events in Charlottesville, VA on Saturday have truly impacted my spirit.
It was devastating to watch the hate and divisiveness shown by those who want our country to look a certain way.
During all of this I constantly reminded myself that I am called to love those who may hate me.
But how do you do that, how do you love someone who truly hates you?

To help explain my answer to that question I’m going to get a little personal.
I want to share a little bit of something that I don’t talk about much and that’s the experience of Jen and I as an interracial couple.
I can truly say that our experience as an interracial couple has provided us with 2 responses to what we face on a daily basis, and that is to love or to hate.
We have experienced the awkward stares, the under the breath comments, the outward comments, the looks of disapproval, etc. etc.
These things have come from family members, “friends”, those we pass on the street, someone we pass in a store, etc. etc.
No matter where we go it’s there because of how some people feel about the fact that we are married and have a family.
Most of the time we ignore the hate and disdain thrown our way but there are times when it’s hard to ignore.
There are times when it comes from a person or place or in a way that truly impacts our spirit.
It’s in those times we have a decision to make, are we going to love or are we going to hate?

I can tell you the human side of me wants to hate, I want to give back what’s being given to me.
I want them to know how I feel, I want to spew venom right back at them.
I want them to hurt as they are trying to hurt me and my family.
I think that’s the reaction many of us would have.

But there’s the other side of me, the side I try to let show each and every day, that wants to love them.
That’s the side of me that truly feels sorry for them and wants to pray for them.
That’s the side of me that is only possible because of the foundation I’ve chosen to build my life upon.

The tattoo on my right arm is so special to me and has such meaning because it reminds me to make sure each step I take in life is on that solid foundation.
That solid foundation for me is Jesus and the example He showed me when faced with those who truly hated Him.
That foundation keeps me from hating back when in the natural it’s what I truly want to do.
That foundation allows me to love those who will probably never love me back.
That foundation reminds me of who I’m truly called to be.

So how do you love those who hate you?
The truth is you can’t do it on your own, the only way is to set yourself on a foundation that allows you to love.
Otherwise, you fall into the trap being set for you and once you fall into it you realize it’s an ugly place to be!
Now is a good time to check your foundation!

Truth In Love! ~ Chuck