“You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”

Regardless of political positions, it is hard to ignore the swift changes that occurred in South Carolina this past month regarding the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag from the statehouse grounds. In the midst of all of the tragedy and conflict, what remains the most powerful message was the forgiveness and love expressed by the families of victims of the AME shootings.  Consider that there wasn’t any time that the families would have ever have prepared or even ever talked about “How would we respond to a murderer?”  What they did was, in the moment, stepped up and let their beliefs and faith drive and direct their words and actions.  And the result was beyond powerful, it was indelible.  When we are faced with so much less trouble, how is it that our company, our employees, and ourselves respond?  Do we end up huddling in a conference room and debating for hours and days until a message is crafted that is so watered down that we don’t even recognize ourselves?  There are times when we are needed to stand up and let what we truly believe be the sole driver of what we do and say.

And, do we need to say any more to ourselves either?  We just need to stay ready so that when our moments show up, that we are ready to stand up and share what we believe.

Reference: Psalm 139:2 (New Living Translation)