Surprise at Kirk Memorial

     A week ago, we ended a blog: "Will Charlie's family offer forgiveness to his killer? Should they?"

     Sunday at Kirk's memorial service, his grieving wife Erika spoke of submission to the will of God. She quoted Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'"

     The message: Kirk gave himself to his organization, Turning Point USA, and to his Lord. The board of directors chose his widow Erika to follow him as executive director. A turning point for Turning Point.  

     When it was her turn to speak at the four-hour memorial, she mentioned her first visit to his coffin, saying, "Even in death, I could see a gray hair, and a faint smile."

     She spoke of "great mercy from God," and that "he saw his Savior in paradise. God's love continues to me. We see a revival coming." 

     Erika answers my question. At one point, she lowered her head, wiped a tear, gathering strength, she said, "I forgive him." Her husband, father of her children, gone, and she forgave his killer. 

     There is plenty of hate in America. But the Kirks and many friends aren't among them. Hating people solves nothing. Love (not approval) offered to our enemies may save some.  

     Reminds us of the people in Charleston, SC. Christians who follow God no matter the hate that took their family members. 

More to come