On the same day that there was a mass shooting at Pulse night club in Florida, there was one of the most amazing rainbows my wife and I had ever seen over the city of St. Louis.

The rainbow flag that represents LGBT pride has become one of the most recognized symbols in the world. Unfortunately, for Christians the rainbow is already a symbol of God’s promise not to destroy all mankind for our sins. This is very frustrating for people, because they feel like a symbol was stolen from them.

However, there is nothing wrong with one symbol meaning more than one thing at the same time. On that morning, the rainbow meant more to me than it ever has. When God gave us the rainbow, it was his promise to love us with grace and mercy, even when we don’t deserve it. Every Sunday, children across America sing, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” Sometime between Sunday School and adulthood many Christians lose the idea of God’s love being universal and free. We know that Jesus loves us, but what about the LGBT community? Does Jesus love them also? We sing songs about God’s amazing grace and mercy, but how do we show that same love, grace and mercy to others?

The Orlando shooting is devastating, and Christians should care. 49 people were killed. They were 49 people who God loved. However, we shouldn’t only care about the LGBT community when there is a sensational tragedy. After Orlando, money poured in for the families, but they are not the only families which are hurting. There are around 1.5 million homeless youth in America, and 40% identify as LGBT. That means that an LGBT youth is almost 6 times more likely to become homeless. These children are loved by God, but many of them do not feel loved by their families. Many of them are actually kicked out of their homes by their parents. They are empty chairs at kitchen tables all across America. God loves them, but society pushes them out onto the streets. This is a daily tragedy, and Christians should care.

God loves them, and WE need to love them.

I painted a picture of the Rainbow that settled over St. Louis. It is 9in. x 24in. I sold it for $300 and I donated 40% of the money to the True Colors Fund, a non-profit which supports homeless LGBT youth. I donated for the 40% of homeless youth who identify as LGBT.