Crazy Love: Dear Chris Brown

"I think sometimes we assume that if we are nice, people will know that we are Christians and want to know more about Jesus.  But it really doesn't work that way.  I know a lot of people who don't know Christ and are really nice people - nicer and more fun to be with, in fact, than a lot of Christians I know.

"There has to be more to our faith than friendliness, politeness, and even kindness.  Jesus teaches in Luke's gospel:

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  Even "sinners" love those who love them.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?  Even "sinners" lend to "sinners," expecting to be repaid in full.  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

                                 -Luke 6:32-36 

"True faith is loving a person after he has hurt you.  True love makes you stand out."

                                                     -From Francis Chan's Crazy Love 

Chan continues on in the book to reference the horrible incident that happened just outside Lancaster, PA in October of 2006 and the amazing response of the Amish community, especially the families of the girls who had been murdered.  My family has spent a lot of time in Lancaster, most likely in contact with those very same families.  Perhaps that's why this event struck such a chord with me.

2007 in Lancaster, PA

I remember that day vividly for many reasons that have nothing to do with this blog post, but, for some reason, I always manage to forget the resolution I made to myself to strive after a forgiving faith like was shown by those families.  This week, I outdid myself in my forgetfulness.

You see, this week, Chris Brown reappeared at the Grammys.  The only opinion that I'm going to link you to about that is attached to the title of this post, because I think that his is the only balanced, G-d-like opinion that I've read so far.  But that didn't stop me from linking a VERY different opinion to my Facebook page (don't look for it; I've since taken it down).

I was hurt that this had happened, that no one seemed to care (still) what he had done, that no one felt it necessary to stand up for the rights of the abused, that no one felt it necessary to really see him PAY.  I'm not talking about a mamby-pamby little pay, here.  I mean, PAY.  I wanted tears and sweat and begging.

I wonder if G-d has ever wanted that from me...

After reading this small section entitled "Lovers" in Chapter Eight of Crazy Love, I knew what had to be done.  I had publicly flaunted my unforgiving heart, and I publicly needed to make amends.  The following is a letter that will be making its way to Mr. Brown's manager, who will probably hand it off to an intern, who will probably roll their eyes and throw it away (hate to burst your bubble), but I'm at least going to do my part in this process.

Do me a favor, friends, and try not to say anything you're going to feel a need to eat tomorrow.  Okay?