George Zimmerman

George Zimmerman

When you hear that name you may think of a few different things; But to most people, you don't think hero...

or you might.

Last night I read a story that reported George Zimmerman stopping to help rescue a family that had an accident on a highway here in Florida.

This is the first public sighting of Zimmerman since being acquitted of Travon Martin's death;
And I think there is a beautiful story here.

Our country is hurting because of years of racism and hatred.

We are hurt because we feel divided.

We are hurt because of stereotypes and assumptions that taint us everyday.

But we have to choose to stop that now, and quit dividing ourselves and see the beauty in forgiveness and redemption.

Here is why I think George Zimmerman stopping to help this family is beautiful.

Here is a man that's life is being threatened.

His whole family has been threatened.

And despite all the hate and the anger that surround him, and the wrongs that he may have done, he still decided to put himself out there to help another person in need.

This is a great start for forgiveness. For himself, and hopefully from others.

I am not saying that what happened to Travon Martin was right.

But we have to remember that George Zimmerman is a human being too.

And if the message we are trying to send is equal rights for all, then he should be included as well.

He had the right to a fair trial and our country gave him one.

This man has to live everyday with his decision to pull a trigger that killed a young man. A young man whose family and friends will miss everyday.

This man has to live with a burden in his heart that I certainly hope I never have to carry.

This man has to live with the hatred of thousands of people who do not know him and are only making assumptions of his heart based on what the media has sold us.

There is something wrong when we would rather preach hate to this man, than to open our hearts and ask for love and forgiveness from each other.

Only we can choose to move forward and treat each other with respect. Only we can stop dividing ourselves by skin color and stereotypes.

As for George Zimmerman, I am glad that he got a chance to help someone. I hope he continues to help others. And I pray for peace for both him and Travon's family. I can't imagine the hurt that they are all feeling now.

I also pray and wish for peace for our country.

Let that peace begin with you.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Thank you,
Kelly Airhart