so teach us to number our days . . . (Psalm 90:12 NIV)

The world waited.

Waited and prayed. Hoping to hear that Charlie Kirk was alive, that he was going to be alright. But that news never came, for Charlie Kirk did not survive. On a beautiful September morning an assassin’s bullet took his life . . . suddenly, unexpectedly. In an instant he was gone.

And I wept.

I wept for this young man, whom I’d never met. I knew of him, I had seen him on the news and learned of his mission, of Turning Point USA. I had heard of how he was reaching young people with words about his faith in God, and the values of life that are good, and true and right.

I heard his words (on a Fox news show) when asked what he would like to be remembered by. His answer: his faith. Charlie Kirk spoke openly and freely of his faith in God. His words made a great impression on me, as I believe they did upon many others.

A day or so later, I watched as his wife, now a widow, spoke on national television of her loss, and of her faith in God, of goodness, truth and right.

And again, I wept.

But as I wept, I marveled at her poise, her composure, her words spoken with such deep pain in her heart. And in the midst of it all, she was able to say, “God is so good.” In the midst of her pain she was directing our thoughts to God, His goodness and His love.

We don’t understand why things like this have to happen, but they do . . . and no one is immune. And, it is in times of trial, sickness, distress, the death of someone you love, times such as this, that we turn to God. In such times I have found that God’s love becomes more real—and His promise true . . . never to leave us or forsake us.

My hope rests in Him.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NIV)

Grace and peace to you,

Mary Emma