How are you doing?

I really want to know - how are you doing? This week has been really emotional for me personally but also for our family and for a large portion of our country. We need to be looking out for each other so I am reaching out to you - how ARE you? Be honest.🙂

At the beginning of this week there was news of a young immigrant woman from Ukraine being stabbed to death on a train in her way home from work in an unprovoked attack. Absolutely senseless and sad and I saw her terrified face looking up at her attacker and I couldn’t bring myself to watch the video. The image stuck with me - I cried. That could happen to anyone at any time and it’s frightening. I calmed my heart by remembering that God has my life in His hands and He has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. I had open discussions with my children about the evil in this world and hugged them a little tighter. I prayed a little harder for their safety and for them to continue developing a closeness with the Lord which will lead them to use discernment and will protect their hearts and minds as they are bombarded by images and stories that are horrific and heart rending.

Wednesday morning I spent a chunk of time reading the blog of a woman I had never met. She was the sister of a friend who graciously passed a link to the blog on to me. This incredible woman chronicled her life and experiences as she fought late-stage cancer. Knowing the end of her story before reading about her journey is heartbreaking. I cried multiple times reading through her posts. I finally had to take a break and rejoice that she is no longer suffering here on earth but is pain-free and enjoying a wonderful life in heaven with Jesus who, as she wrote, climbed into bed with her and comforted her every night.

I stopped reading the blog and turned the TV on for a little mental break and, as I was flipping channels, I saw the shocking breaking news that Charlie Kirk had been shot doing what he did best - opening himself up for challenge and debate. He died from his injuries and I was in shock. Turns out he was killed because someone disagreed with his views but apparently didn’t have the courage to come to the microphone to have a discussion about it. Hate is an ugly thing. Again, I watched too much of the coverage and had to turn the TV off and just pray for comfort for everyone connected to him and especially for his wife and very young children. I thank the Lord that Charlie Kirk, an outspoken Christian and advocate for Christ, is in heaven - with my Dad, with my husband’s parents, with a variety of dear friends and family members who have passed into eternity, with the blogger I mentioned above, and most importantly, with his (and my) Savior- Jesus Christ.

Our family has had many discussions this week - allowing us and our children to express our thoughts and feelings surrounding this tragic week. My daughter and I were the most familiar with who Charlie Kirk was and what he stood for. But as my husband and son watched and read more about him and his life, they came to feel as strongly about his death as we did. He was out there living out his faith boldly and his example should be followed. His death should not silence our testimony out of fear. My son boldly went to school the next day and talked about it even though he faced criticism from people who were happy about the shooting. My husband had open and honest discussions with his first officer as events were unfolding that day and was able to make a difference in his world view.

Thursday was 9/11. My husband was on a trip and had to fly that day. He is an airline pilot who was supposed to fly on 9/11/01. He was on his way to the airport when the first plane hit the World Trade Center and our lives changed forever. A day we will never forget. 24 years later it remains a somber day of remembrance. Our son watched a video in his history class this week of an interview with a first responder that day who not only lost his entire family, but had the heartbreak of having saved 12 people from the burning buildings only to find out that every person he saved was killed when the buildings collapsed.

Friday morning I woke up and my husband reported the news that the man who killed Charlie Kirk had been arrested and I prayed for his salvation. I prayed for the salvation of every person who celebrated the death of a human being whose only crime was being a vocal advocate for Christ and for the free exchange of ideas in the form of public debate. And Friday evening, our family watched Charlie Kirk’s distraught but emboldened widow speak to a nation in shock.

I had to tune out the noise. I had to run to God - the source for all peace and comfort. The first devotional I read Friday morning was one put out by In Touch Ministries. It was titled “Unrighteousness Anger” and it was on-point and timely during this tumultuous time in history. I am pasting a link here so you can read it for yourself when you have the time:

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/unrighteous-anger-2

The verse above and those following were also verses that peppered my reading Friday morning:

So, it was an emotional week. I don’t think it is an accident that our church is studying the gospel of John or that our sermon just this past Sunday was on John chapter 17 which emphasizes the deep, deep love the Father has for us as believers as well as for the unsaved people in this world.

And yesterday, I experienced what I hope is going to be repeated over and over again throughout this country. A man on a bike tapped on my car window as I sat in my car getting ready to head home. I cracked my window open and he asked me if I believed in God! I very enthusiastically said “yes!” and we had a brief talk. He said that if I had said “no” he was going to give me a little booklet that presented the gospel and showed it to me. He told me his name and I told him mine. He was saved in 2004 and is originally from Zimbabwe. I said “Praise the Lord!” and he rode away. This kind of thing happens to me from time to time and it is such an encouragement! It is God’s reminder that He is still here, His Spirit is still alive and working, and His love is as strong as it ever was.

I am sure your week held its’ own challenges. If you want to post an anonymous comment, I WILL pray for you. Or, if you know me, you can send me a text or email. We must be open to the needs around us and we must intercede for each other in prayer so we will be strengthened as we endeavor to represent Christ in this hurting world.

So, how are you doing? Are you okay?