Praying for all those who are mourning in Orlando, and who are suffering deep heartache and loss as a result of the senseless and horrific tragedy that occurred on June 12th and has left many just beginning their journey with grief this Monday, June 13th.

My own personal Monday “mourning” memories of June 13th are never forgotten.

For me, June 13th is truly a date that I am trusting God’s promises to redeem and restore.  On Monday, June 13, 1994, 22 years ago today, my only brother, Donald Lee “Donnie” Deason, was brutally beaten to death in the Birmingham City Jail (his first, last, and only time in a jail cell).  He was only 30 years old.  Yes, it’s still unbelievable to me too, even all these many years later!  Just how he died alone was so unbelievably unjust, horrific, and, to this date, painfully difficult to recall, but the pain is worsened due to the fact that his murder occurred in a jail cell (not at all indicative of my brother’s life), and at the hands of some who perpetuated violence and others who neglected their job duties to say the least.  A true test of walking in forgiveness and a lot of overcoming evil with good has since followed.  It’s taken me this long to finally be able to begin talking and writing more openly about this extremely grievous and heart rendering, Monday June 13th memory.  This was also on the same day of the tragic murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman (and so I can relate to the suffering of Ron Goldman’s sister as well), and, now, the senseless tragedy in Orlando falls on the day before June 13th – another mournful Monday, June 13th for many more.

Especially when a person’s life is taken in incidents that become news worthy and may lead much of the public to immediately question or pass judgment, we all need to remember that all human lives matter, and the first and most important thing other fellow human beings should do is just “mourn with those who mourn.”  We are all created in the likeness and image of our Creator, God, and there is so much more to each person’s life than a single event and/or what is shared for the purpose of selling newspapers or for higher media ratings.  In times like these, many grieving families, while still in shock and walking out their worst nightmare, are further burdened and distressed by what is being remembered and what is often forgotten about their loved one.  My brother had a passionate heart of patriotism, served honorably in the Air Force and Air National Guard, had an exceptional employee record at the Federal Reserve Bank, coached youth basketball, loved people and brought much joy to all those he was around, had the most beautiful smile, and there is so much more…!  Just as there is always so much more to be celebrated, treasured, and remembered about each precious person whose life is snuffed out at the hands of evil hearts in action.

As we pray, let us remember that all lives matter.

May the God of all comfort bring healing, redemption and restoration to all who are mourning this Monday, June 13th.

We all need the Lord more than ever before.