Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: A Boy Mom’s Perspective

Image Credit: Charlie Kirk / Facebook

Submitted by Scarlen Valderaz –

I was preparing dinner for my children when I received notifications that Charlie had been shot. I quickly opened Instagram as I searched for my cast iron pan to place on the stove. That’s when I saw the graphic video of his assassination. 

I am not one to wince at the sight of violence, blood, or gory footage but this was different.

I texted my husband to let him know what happened. Based on the footage, I knew that only a miracle from God would save Charlie’s life and that is what I prayed for. There was a sliver of hope when reports stated that he had been stabilized but the hope quickly faded when Turning Point USA announced that Charlie had passed away. 

At this point, my cast iron pan was over heating, the butter on a different pan had burnt, and my children were in the background laughing at their favorite T.V. show. All I wanted to do was cry but I couldn’t let my children see me grieve and at that moment, life had to go on. I finished cooking dinner and fed my children as I held back tears. It felt surreal, and it still does. 

That night as my children and husband had gone to bed I thought about what Charlie represented and for a moment, I felt a fear that I have since repented from and in its place is courage and affirmation. 

It has been over a week since Charlie Kirk was assassinated. I join the many voices who say that we didn’t know him personally, but his loss hurts deeply, and it’s not been easy to recover from this loss.

His assassination was horrific, and we all saw it happen on our smart phones. Charlie leaves behind his wife Erika Kirk and two small children. I think that’s what hurts the most. Charlie would never have left his wife’s side or intentionally left his children fatherless.  

I have 5 sons and while they are still little my husband and I are raising them to have the courage and boldness that Charlie had. 

We are teaching our sons to courageously stand for biblical truth and principles even if they anger or offend those living in complete degeneracy. 

We live in a world full of confusion, a world in which our boys are told they are toxic, and that they must not speak because their words are oppressive. Charlie spoke on college campuses where our young men are taught this very thing. He emboldened young men to turn to Christ and to reject the notion that they are toxic. He encouraged them to get married and start families with Christ at the center of it all. He embodied what it is to be a godly husband and a godly father. Charlie is the mentor we want our sons to have. 

As a mother, seeing what happened to Charlie is scary because we can’t help but think that our sons could have a similar fate, but I find comfort in Christ. It can seem scary to raise children in this culture, but God did not make a mistake when he made us their mother. Now more than ever we must raise bold and courageous sons. 

The Bible teaches us that we will be persecuted for following Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:10, Luke 6:22, 2 Timothy 3:12 just to name a few). The Bible also tells us that we are in this world but not of it because He has chosen us (John 15:19). These teachings help us understand why Charlie was assassinated. Our earthly flesh still mourns, as it should, but we must find refuge in God’s word. Matthew 10:28-33 tells us to not fear those who kill the body but not the spirit. Charlie isn’t dead, he’s more alive (in Christ) than he’s ever been. 

Throughout Christian church history, there are martyrs who have died for the same truth that Jesus Christ was crucified for.

St. George, a Roman soldier, was martyred for proclaiming his Christian faith after the emperor of the time had declared persecution against Christians. Instead of shrinking down and laying low he tore the document apart and awaited his fate. For this he was tortured and eventually beheaded. And let us not forget the apostles who also suffered similar fates for spreading the Gospel and proclaiming Christ as their savior.

Charlie’s beliefs were considered political and counter cultural but let us not forget that his beliefs were shaped by his biblical worldview. Charlie’s unwavering faith in Christ formed every political belief he held and for that he paid the ultimate price. 

Let us remember that God uses everything for His glory and that Charlie’s death was not in vain. Martyrdom is never without purpose. What happened after Charlie’s assassination has been incredible. Many have picked up a Bible for the first time and have attended church. Charlie is in heaven rejoicing! 

If Charlie’s death has ignited a fire in your sons, please encourage it. Events like these are tragic but they inspire boys and men to become bold and courageous, and Lord knows we need men like this right now. 

Take your son to church. Help your son use his God given gifts to engage in the political arena if that is what he is interested in. Cover him in prayer and do not let him shrink in this moment. Let this moment shape him into the man he will become. 

I hope these words have brought you some encouragement or at the very least some scripture to later read in your Bible. Let God shine through this difficult time in our country and may He have mercy on us.