.........

It's amazing what God tells you while you're watching fireflies.

I've been reading a book called "Jesus for President" lately. It talks a lot about our response to evil and violence.

But let me set the stage first.

Quiet night.

Deep valley.

Hundreds of fireflies dancing in and out of the grass.

Me sitting there in silence. Thinking about nothing and everything.

Me feeling loved by God. Like the fireflies were there just for me.

Then God whispers...

Annie...your love for me is not why I love you. I love you because you are my child.

Big smile.

Think of my other children, Annie.

Faces trip past my eyes. Friends. Family.

Yes. I love these. But what about the others?

Others, Lord?

The others. How many have I lost? And my heart breaks for each one of them.

Even the ones who have persecuted your people? Steeped themselves in evil?

I grieve for the loss of Timothy McVeigh...my beloved son.

My heart breaks for Jezebel, my precious daughter.

My own heart does a flip.

I wept over Saddam Hussein.

And I gave my life for the sake of Adolph Hitler.

Osama bin Laden was created in my own image.

Tears run down my face.

These are also the beloved of God.