I will be meditating on these words today--the word flourish in particular...thank you for your perspective. I do want to be FOR something, but in the current climate it seems like sometimes it's easiest to be AGAINST something and not take the step toward reconciliation.
Thank you for these words, and for your thoughts on flourishing. The fact that you wrote at all today, in the midst of what must be such deep grief and lament, is such a gift. You continue to bless and encourage your community, and for that I am truly grateful.
Ive been reading many who have written their thoughts in the aftermath of Atlanta but none have spoken to me more or carry with them such weight. I am sobered and sad. Your ability to even think kindly upon the individual who took these lives is convicting. Thank you for your grace.
Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Julie Park, Hyeon Jeong Park, Woman Beloved by God, God’s Beloved Daughter. I will continue to say their names and ask divine interference in the blasphemous denial of their humanity and belovedness, and the denial of such to all Asians and Asian Americans in this country. I join you in prayer for Long, while turning over in my hands Jesus’ teaching about cutting off your own hand rather than to let it cause you to sin. Long should have done that, as should so many who blame their victims for their violence. The life and dignity of your neighbor is worth more than your hand or your eye. The lives of those who were murdered and the lives of all AAPI people are worth more than this or any man's sickness and shame. I stand vigil with you as I consider what usefulness of mine could bring real change. God bless you and keep you, beloved one.
As always, I am touched by your words. Thank you for being real and true in a rather hard and scary time. Thank you for reminding me to pray for all God's creations, even when I don't want to. I am blessed to learn from you.
This is not the way we should have learned their names. Yes. I’m so sorry that others have pained, insulted, injured, and killed your people. I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing your words.
These are deeply introspective reflections, beautifully expressed. I love the repeated call back to being useful. It gives the piece a poetic rhythm.
Sometimes it’s not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it. In this case it is both! Thanks for the closing reminder that even amidst a horror of this magnitude—God’s amazing Grace is still applicable!
I appreciated so much the grace you extended in your final thoughts. Grace, like Christ’s, extended to all. That grace can be so difficult to emulate, but each time I see someone extending it, I’m filled with hope.
Thank you Jeff.
Jeff, thank you for your words. They were comforting, healing, and a balm for a time of such pain. I appreciate you.
I will be meditating on these words today--the word flourish in particular...thank you for your perspective. I do want to be FOR something, but in the current climate it seems like sometimes it's easiest to be AGAINST something and not take the step toward reconciliation.
Thank you for these words, and for your thoughts on flourishing. The fact that you wrote at all today, in the midst of what must be such deep grief and lament, is such a gift. You continue to bless and encourage your community, and for that I am truly grateful.
Ive been reading many who have written their thoughts in the aftermath of Atlanta but none have spoken to me more or carry with them such weight. I am sobered and sad. Your ability to even think kindly upon the individual who took these lives is convicting. Thank you for your grace.
Your final thought broke me open. Thank you for sharing, especially in these tender and tough days.
Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Julie Park, Hyeon Jeong Park, Woman Beloved by God, God’s Beloved Daughter. I will continue to say their names and ask divine interference in the blasphemous denial of their humanity and belovedness, and the denial of such to all Asians and Asian Americans in this country. I join you in prayer for Long, while turning over in my hands Jesus’ teaching about cutting off your own hand rather than to let it cause you to sin. Long should have done that, as should so many who blame their victims for their violence. The life and dignity of your neighbor is worth more than your hand or your eye. The lives of those who were murdered and the lives of all AAPI people are worth more than this or any man's sickness and shame. I stand vigil with you as I consider what usefulness of mine could bring real change. God bless you and keep you, beloved one.
As always, I am touched by your words. Thank you for being real and true in a rather hard and scary time. Thank you for reminding me to pray for all God's creations, even when I don't want to. I am blessed to learn from you.
This is not the way we should have learned their names. Yes. I’m so sorry that others have pained, insulted, injured, and killed your people. I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing your words.
These are deeply introspective reflections, beautifully expressed. I love the repeated call back to being useful. It gives the piece a poetic rhythm.
Sometimes it’s not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it. In this case it is both! Thanks for the closing reminder that even amidst a horror of this magnitude—God’s amazing Grace is still applicable!
I appreciated so much the grace you extended in your final thoughts. Grace, like Christ’s, extended to all. That grace can be so difficult to emulate, but each time I see someone extending it, I’m filled with hope.
Thank you so much for this, Jeff.
Thank you.
I corrected the spelling of Hyun Jung Park's name above, based on the newest reporting. But I'm going to leave the story as written. Here's a story about her, based on an interview with her son Randy: https://www.thedailybeast.com/son-of-atlanta-shooting-victim-hyun-jung-grant-calls-bullshit-on-robert-aaron-long-sex-addiction-claim
Here is a heartbreaking profile of Xiaojie Tan, who owned Young's Asian Massage. She comes from a Roman Catholic family in Nanning, a city in Guangxi. Her daughter, who is engaged, is now planning a funeral instead of a wedding. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/03/18/stop-asian-hate-atlanta-shooting-victim-mother-business-owner/4754151001/
We have all their names now:
Soon C. (Julie) Park, 74
Suncha Kim, 69
Yong A. Yue, 63
Paul Andre Michels, 54
Hyun Jung Park Grant, 51
Xiaojie (Emily) Tan, 49
Daoyou Feng, 44
Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33
I bow in grief, especially to the elders, so sorry that we were not able to protect them and honor them properly.