Many in the world were glued to their TV sets today watching the royal wedding of Prince William Arthur Philip Louis (now Duke of Cambridge) and Kate Middleton (now Duchess of Cambridge). It was grand and many will say that this is an image of Royal Love. But, I have another image to share with you.
- Keshia Thomas serving as a Shield
I originally wrote this article on Aug. 5, 2005. I expand it here using the same title: Love Makes All the Difference in the World.
A dear friend of mine (Eddie GM Robinson) wrote a song entitled “Love Makes All the Difference” and it is my favorite on that particular CD. He is a master artist being able to conceptualize and hear the music, write it and play most of the instruments and then sing the lyrics! I always marvel at the expanse of his talent. When the work is done right, his listener will automatically select that song from their mental library and associate it immediately with an appropriate event. Such was the case for me with this song and this event.
On 22 June 2006, there was a Klu Klux Klan rally in Ann Arbor Michigan. An awesome demonstration of the force of love was captured in a photograph and story published on that day. (unable to insert photo here). I will try to relay that image to you here.
At some point between standing and falling, the man on the ground became one with Keshia Thomas. Her heart opened and Andrew Cutraro (freelance photographer) caught the moment. Keishia was 18 at the time and we can wonder how and why at 18, this young African-American woman came to be in such a position?
On June 22 in Ann Arbor Michigan, Keishia used her body for the purpose many say Jesus used His – to cover the sins of another. She shielded a man from a crowd of anti-Klan demonstrators who were beating him with sticks after he was spotted wearing a confederate flag shirt. Ms. Thomas is reported as saying: “Just because you beat somebody, doesn’t mean you going to change his mind.”
Prior to this, it is reported in People magazine, that she was one of the angry demonstrators who rushed toward the man who was reported to be a spectator (not a participator); yet he wore the trappings of a Klan supporter. As the attackers reached him, the blows, kicks and punches began. But something happened in an instant inside this Black high school senior from Ypsilanti that caused her to risk injury and throw herself over the fallen man to protect him. Though she may have thought him to be a white supremacist, Thomas is reported saying: “He’s still somebody’s child.” Later on, Keishia is reported adding: “People don’t have to remember my name. I just want them to remember that I did the right thing.”
Eddie recently released another CD that has a title “Only Give the Best (there is in you)”. Keshia may not know it or label her action as love, but it was the ultimate expression of the virtue of which the Master teachers have been speaking. Truly she gave the very “best” there was in her to protect and possibly save someone she did not even know. She helps us to believe that truly Love does make ALL the difference in the World.
When you think of Royal Love, you can think of William and Kate or you can think of Keshia Thomas whose compassion burst out of its boundaries and demonstrated itself in protecting a stranger. Thanks Eddie for reminding me.
Now is the time, you are the chosen. You are already prepared.
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