ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

I usually write about some of the funny things that have occurred in my lifetime, but it just doesn’t seem right to do so this week. It has been a month filled with tragedy, hatred, terrorism, minds out of control and generally the darkness that already lives in our world today. We’ve only completed two weeks so far in September, but in that short time we have had two mass shootings in Minneapolis alone. On September 2nd, police were on the scene of the first mass shooting just across the street from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. One was declared dead and 6 injured. An arrest has been made. Just one day later another attack was underway at Annunciation Catholic Church where 2 children were killed and 17 were injured. These incidents were not connected but occurred within 24 hours of each other. There have been stories of stabbings, shootings and strangulation in our state this month as well.

As we look at our world today, it’s easy to place blame on the government and the laws of the land. It also becomes a time to look at mental health issues and drug abuse. This is not the Minneapolis we moved to in 1973. Crimes of all kinds are happening every day. It seems like the devil is on the rampage and God has taken a back seat. Many claim that God is the villain in all this. This week our country was hit with the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who has been spreading his opinions on gender, race and politics to younger conservatives. This apparently hit a nerve of the assassin who fired just one shot to kill a man who offended him.

We are not even halfway through this short month and the memories of 09/11/2001 are fresh in our minds. A whole generation has passed and has no memory of it.

In 1847, Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics for “The Falling Leaves.”
The song has been sung by many, including Nat King Cole. These poignant words about love lost is haunting yet beautiful.

The falling leaves drift by my window. The falling leaves are red and gold. I see your lips; the summer kisses – the sunburned hands I used to hold. Since you went away the days go long and soon I’ll hear old winter’s song. But I’ll miss you most of all, my darling, When autumn leaves start to fall.

I found the drawing of this oak leaf in one of Paul’s sketchbooks. It reminds me so much of this season. The detailed veins running through the leaf are indicative of life coming to a close. It also demonstrates to me that life goes on even after death. That leaf will become mulch to nourish the earth and produce more of its own kind. The lyrics to the song are perfect for the treasured life I had with my husband for so long. One of his favorite phrases when things seemed impossible to handle was, “God has this!”

Those of us left behind have a responsibility to get back in touch with our Creator. He’s been aware of all the ugliness going on in our world. He isn’t the one responsible for it. We have strayed from Him and the consequences are evident in what we are witness to today.

Dear, Father God, we come to you in deepest humility and sadness.
We realize that you are in control of the world and all that is in it. Help us to get back into your Word – to place our trust in your wisdom – to let others know there is hope in the future. You have provided for a new paradise where none of this will concern us anymore. Give us the courage to stand up for you, even when it causes offense to some. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Savior, our Champion, our brother and our King. Amen!