Better Angels

So an awful thing happened today, truly awful, and this not long after this other awful thing happened, two people being senselessly murdered in horrific circumstances.  Today's assassination is difficult to describe - the posts going around that say "no words" pretty much sum it up.  Not long ago, we saw Charlie Kirk at a rally, and recently back in March too, when he came to our church.  He was young, a father of two, a husband - and now he's gone because of the amplified vitriolic atmosphere, the victim of an empty soul that didn't have the ability to win an argument in any other way than a cowardly act.  It was a political assassination.  It is quite literally a turning point for our nation, ironically.  Expecting a nation in shock or mourning, we instead find members of the House of Representatives shouting "no" to a prayer while in Congress.  Of course, there are those on both sides of the aisle that are shocked, disturbed and horrified.  But it's hard to believe there are people that have no empathy or compassion for today's assassination, and it's so difficult to see the other murder, no one there to help, and so many people not caring about this.  It's a dangerous time here.

At the same time, we're dealing with issues at the church.  Two people were arrested on Sunday, radicalized behavior and violent nature, both of them interrupting service and escorted out by the police.  Security was already on the increase at the church, police officers there as well as new weapons detection systems in place.  What a time.

This is the dominant story of the day, of course.  It's heartbreaking.  We were doing other things today, trying to get work done on our November booklet - in fact, we finished that booklet, and we're in good shape there.  I'm very pleased with that series booklet right now.  

Maddie had school today, and that was nice of course.  She and I came home after her classes were over, where I was doing some work from the house.  She went to Team Edge practice tonight, and that's going well - she'll be switching over to Saturday practices again soon enough.  But it was great getting that one Saturday to go off and pick some apples.  That was a blessing.

Tonight's movie feature was one of my favorites, "Box Trolls."  I love the bad guys in this one so much, and the movie is just so well done.  It's another underrated favorite!  We prepared this big cheese tray beforehand, because if you know the movie, you know why.  Mom and I were snacking on cheese tonight as we watched this seasonal favorite.  

Afterwards, time for reading, and prayers.  It was not a good day for our country, but we were okay here at the house.  We prayed for peace, for healing.  But it's a dark, dark season.  A sheriff in Utah was quoting Lincoln about this nation seeking the better angels of our nature.  It was a good word he shared, and one I desperately hope this country embraces.