Just Guyton

Heavenly Father,

As we remember Charlie today, I ask that You surround his family, those who loved him, and all those whose hearts are heavy today with Your love, comfort, and strength. May his children always know how deeply their father loved them, and may Erika continue to feel Your presence as she carries his memory forward. Thank You for the lives Charlie touched and for the courage he had to speak openly about his faith in You. Help us remember that even when we disagree with one another, we can still choose grace, compassion, and love.

Keep our eyes fixed on You, Lord, and remind us that our time here is temporary, but our hope in You is eternal.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏🕊️

Today marks one year since Charlie Kirk was killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University.

I remember that day. Charlie was speaking and debating at the university, and then suddenly the news came that he had been shot. It was very chaotic. People were praying that he would be okay. I was praying that he would be okay. And then came the announcement that he had died.

It was heartbreaking.

I remember thinking about his wife and children. I am old enough to be his mother—he was the same age as my oldest child—and my heart broke for the family who had just lost a son, a brother, a husband, and a father. I think I cried for a week.

As I have been thinking about what I wanted to say on this anniversary, I realized that I don’t want this to be just another post about politics. I want it to be about the man whose faith, courage, and willingness to have difficult conversations meant something to me.

In an interview just a few months before his death, Charlie was asked how he wanted to be remembered. His answer was simple: “I want to be remembered for courage, for my faith.”

That is where I want to begin.

Charlie was a husband, a father, and a Christian. His wife, Erika, has spoken about how much their family meant to him and how he wanted young people to experience the love and joy of marriage and raising a family. She also shared that one of his favorite Bible verses was Ephesians 5:25:

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

That verse says something about the kind of love I believe we should all strive for—a love that is not just spoken, but lived.

One of the things that always stood out to me about Charlie was the way he spoke about his faith. He was not afraid to speak openly about what he believed, even when he knew people might disagree with him. I admired that courage.

When I think about it now, I think about the armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 says:

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Every time Charlie went out there, that is how I saw him: putting on the whole armor of God and standing firm in his faith. Not because he was perfect, but because he was willing to stand for what he believed.

I know Charlie was a controversial figure. People disagreed with him, sometimes strongly, and some accused him of racism and hatred. I am not going to pretend those disagreements did not exist. But I also do not believe a person should be reduced to the worst thing someone has said about them.

The Charlie I saw was a man who was willing to stand in front of people who disagreed with him and have a conversation. That mattered to me.

One of the things I appreciated about Charlie was his willingness to defend the right to speak, even when the words were unpopular or offensive. He believed people should be able to challenge ideas and criticize those in power. To me, that is an important part of having a free society.

I also appreciate the idea that we should enter conversations willing to learn something. We can hold strong beliefs and still listen. We can challenge someone’s argument without treating that person as our enemy.

Yesterday, I asked you to consider a moral dilemma and tell me what you would do. I did not ask everyone to agree. I asked you to think, to listen, and to explain your position. That is the kind of conversation I believe we need more of.

You do not have to agree with every opinion a person holds to recognize their humanity. You do not have to share their politics to understand that their family loved them. And you do not have to agree with me about Charlie to understand why his death affected me.

We need more conversations and less violence. We need to learn how to agree to disagree without treating the person across from us as an enemy.

For me, this anniversary is a reminder to stand for what I believe, to keep my faith at the center of my life, and to remember that the people we disagree with are still people.

My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It reminds me that my strength does not come from me alone, and when I feel like I cannot take another step, I always lean on Christ to keep going.

Charlie said he wanted to be remembered for courage and faith.

Today, that is how I choose to remember him.

May God continue to comfort Erika, their children, and all those who loved him. ❤️

Regardless of what anyone may have tried to convince you of, I believe Charlie Kirk loved you because you are his brother or sister in Christ. And above all, never forget this:

God loves you, too. ❤️✝️

— Guyton ❤️