THE RESTORATION PROFILES

At least some aspects of all occupations involve the idea of restoring, which is the process of "bringing back". With some occupations (medicine, engineering, social work, education) restoration seems foundational but all occupations include some elements of "bringing back". Profiling means to study, examine, and describe. Restoration Profiles seeks to study, examine and describe the many examples of "bringing back" that have occurred both in history and today. I seek to capture what has recently inspired me and share that inspiration with others.















Saturday, June 6, 2020

Where Was George Floyd's Good Samaritan?








This painting, Le Bon Samaritain, by Aime Morot touched me in a deep way when we saw it in a Paris, France art gallery in 2018.  I've written about it here: https://restorationprofiles.blogspot.com/2019/11/lord-who-is-my-neighbor.html .  This passage, from Luke 10:25-37, is a story Jesus told to teach the principle "Who is my neighbor?" 

Those familiar with George Floyd's work in Houston's Third Ward, would say that he lived the gospel, and that he was a Good Samaritan in his neighborhood.  Christianity Today has written a touching article describing his work here:  https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/george-floyd-ministry-houston-third-ward-church.html 

Sadly, when George Floyd needed a Good Samaritan there was none for him.  There was a policeman-murderer, three policeman-murderer-enablers, somebody there to video tape his murder, and someone there who cried out to the police to stop.  But nobody rescued George Floyd.  Nobody disadvantaged themselves or risked their own well being to help him.  We hoped that the Minneapolis Police Department, if they suspected that he was using a counterfeit $20 bill and possibly on drugs, would at least have taken him into custody in a gentle manner that would have spared his life.  We have a right to expect more of the policemen who murdered him.   

Since no one can now be a neighbor to George Floyd, who is the neighbor who I can help and will I have the heart and eyes to see them?  Will that opportunity to be a neighbor to someone in need come overtly with only a moment's notice?  Will that opportunity be simmering under my nose and will I wake up and do something about it?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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