The Call
On September 10, a mom from our church received a call from inside Evergreen High School where her two sons attend. Desperate, the freshman son called telling her there was someone shooting in the school. “Don’t hang up, no matter what,” she begged her son.
Realizing her older son, Judah, wasn’t yet at school, she hastily warned him to stay away. Reconnected, mom and son prayed and stayed on the phone until they were safely together.
At about the same time, on the same day, in Utah, police received calls after another shot rang out, killing Charlie Kirk.
One week later, I received a call at 4:27 a.m. telling me my mom had died four minutes earlier.
September 2025 is one of the worst months I’ve experienced: The Evergreen school shooting, Charlie Kirk’s assassination, anniversary of 9/11, my mom dying, Alisha, my daughter, who died at nine, would’ve been 45, and one of my precious friends is very sick. As I write this, the month isn’t over yet.
In September, people across the nation received calls that’ve changed their lives forever.
Unfortunately, I started receiving those calls when I was ten. The first came when I answered the phone and the caller asked to speak to my grandma who’d come over for dinner. Taking the phone, she was told her 23-year-old son had drowned. He left behind a wife and two toddlers.
I received the call in 1990, that my daughter was hit by a car. She died six days later.
I received the call in 2002, that my son had been in a fatal work-related car accident.
I received the call in 2021 that my little brother was found dead in his home.
Now I’ve added the call about mom to my growing “Call” list. I’m getting older so I suppose this should be expected. But it’s not easy.
I received another call many years ago. A call on my life from God. I was seven. Over the next couple years, I realized how much I loved to write. I’ve been writing since.
Charlie Kirk received his calling at a young age, and he fulfilled it in 31 short years on this earth. He did more in those few years than most of us could accomplish in several lifetimes.
Judah, the senior and a musician at Evergreen High School, was called to write a song about his brother and the shooting, including the saving grace of our Lord. His song has now touched millions because of what God does and how He does it.
I praise God the two brothers weren’t physically injured. I pray for those recovering from injuries, and the students and families who’ve endured this tragic event.
The call on my life to write is the outcome of God’s call for me to be part of His family. It’s a tough gig but I’m never alone in the day-to-day or minute-by-minute experiences, good or catastrophic. Yes, I get scared—a lot. I wish I had the courage of Charlie Kirk. Maybe his example will help me grow in that area. My name means brave warrior. That’s how I want to live my life, bravely, but I let the world stand between me and my Lord. Sometimes the world is so loud and so big I can’t see Him or hear Him. I know that’s changing but I wish it would happen faster. I need to remember to put on my uniform every day, the armor of God, as written in Ephesians 6. I need to say yes to whatever God’s plan is for me, and refuse fear, and ONLY trust God.
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As difficult as September has been, it’s also one of the best months because I know death holds no power over us now or those who’ve just died. Through Jesus, those who died are now part of the growing crowd of witnesses cheering us on to finish the race of life on this planet. They are our encouragers, sustainers, and prayer warriors.
As Judah Cox expresses in his song, it’s not about conclusion of life on earth, it’s about reunion with Jesus in eternity. He’s our saving grace. You can find him @judahalexandermusic
I hope you’ll consider joining Judah, his family, and me in this battle of good against evil. God is the greatest Commander in Chief one could ever rely on.
