I have read countless stories about the Charlie Kirk assassination in the past few days. I’ve seen video of the moment Charlie was taken from us, photos of his children with him and the video of his little girl running to him, calling out “Daddy”, photos and video of Charlie debating. The video of Vice President JD Vance walking with Charlie’s casket as they walked to Air Force Two was very moving and each video and photo invoked emotion inside me. But there was one photo that spoke volumes beyond the other was that of the photo of Usha Vance, wife of the Vice President holding Mrs. Kirk’s hand as they departed Air Force Two, after landing back in Arizona to face the gauntlet of reporters at the bottom of the stairs.
The messages in that one photo was overwhelming. The message to Erika Kirk was, “I am with you, I love you and I am here to serve you in whatever capacity I can, for as long as you want me to be here for you.” It is a woman thing, it is a mother thing and it is something much more; the heart of a serving woman to another serving woman. Giving when it may be uncomfortable but doing what is right and what is needed in that moment. Usha isn’t a Christian, she is a Hindu, yet a common belief bind these two women. Even with different beliefs in faith, love conquers any barrier to serve a need.
The hate from those celebrating Charlie’s death is more than vile, it is divisive and this one photo is telling those celebrating that they have not accomplished what was attempted by silencing Charlie. This one photo defies the hatred, challenges those haters, proves that Love conquers all.
By the simple gesture of support, by Usha; Erika is empowered and gives her the power to focus on her late husband’s message without the worry of falling or wavering in this wounded moment of her life. She has support behind her to move forward, instead of hiding in her grief.
While this gesture is seen physically, there is also a Spiritual message, that God uses others to support us in our weakest moments, when we fear to step forward, or fear of falling and facing the gauntlet. For yes, at the bottom of those steps from Air Force Two was a gauntlet of reporters infamous for twisting spoken word to fit their own narratives and not Truth. Usha was the physical barrier of support for Erika. God put Usha there for Erika. A simple but amazingly powerful gesture of LOVE.
We all are probably still processing the meaning of what happened, the meaning of what Charlie’s martyrdom means in the here and now and what it means for the future of this country. By killing the messenger, the messenger’s followers, who are in the millions, have been called to action, to continue the message of Truth; Truth of Family Values, Truth of Conservative Values, Truth of the Constitution and Truth that Love and Light always defeats hatred and darkness.
Yes we are in a battle for our great country’s existence as a Republic but the greater battle is Spiritual and it’s goal is greater yet. As each day takes us further away from the deadly day, let us celebrate a young man’s dream of being remembered as a man of Faith and courage, who was given the fire on his tongue to speak Truth and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that was ALWAYS respectful and open to dialogue from all sides of a topic. May we all who are believers in Jesus Christ use Charlie’s example as a guide in our message of spreading Truth.
