My rebuttal to the editor of The New York Daily News:

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My rebuttal to the editor of The New York Daily News:

I don’t want to make assumptions, however with the brazen remarks made on the cover of your magazine, I’m taking it that you do not consider yourself a Christian person? (Please forgive me if I’m wrong about this- I mean no disrespect) However, sir (or ma’am?) I would like to provide you with some insight…..

For years, decades, centuries certain individuals and groups of people have not only requested, but demanded that God be removed from all aspects of daily life- no praying in public schools, no nativity scenes around the holidays, even attempting to change the words to our precious pledge of allegiance all to divert attention from The Almighty. Well, if you are unaware- when one does not invite Christ into his life or heart than one does not have a relationship with Him. It does not mean that He doesn’t love each individual on this Earth. In fact, He is waiting eagerly for people to seek him (Matthew 7:7 “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”). Why do you cry out that “God is not fixing this” without knowing what His word says about mankind? (or without having the faith that He will do what He said He would do?) (Genesis 21:1 “…when God speaks, we can trust He will carry out whatever it was He said He would do”)

He told us that this is a fallen world, man is flawed and innocent babies are born into a world of sin. He sent His son to us for a reason- that reason is the world had gone astray and lost individuals needed hope and forgiveness. I believe in my heart He is returning sooner than later and I assure you- He will fix this.  He mourns death, however he cannot control man.  (Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and He saves the crushed in spirit).  He mourned His own Son on the cross.  Nonetheless, He can’t force a person to love Him, seek Him, honor Him, or follow Him.  Thankfully, He can offer unending grace and mercy to those who repent and are truly sorry. I can’t imagine how one can blatantly disrespect God and His daily miraculous works. Lucky for you and I, He is very forgiving and He does not fret when people question His existence.  (Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my way higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”)

This world has become a place of greed, violence, instant satisfaction, sloth, and hatred.  One where we are numb to tragic news, where lying and stealing are so normal that it doesn’t even phase us. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 " But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come, for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, hardhearted, irreconcilable, slanderous without self-control, savage with no interest for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God, maintaining a form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid these people.") When an individual has an evil plan, he will go through with it. But if he seeks God’s guidance first- he will not. I can guarantee it. Whether you believe it or not, sir (or ma’am?) God numbered the hairs on your head…. As he did with every single victim of every single mass killing that has ever occurred. I do not have all of the answers. I don’t pretend to be a scholar of the Bible because I am not. However, I am a 32-year-old married mother of 2 and I am a Christian woman who believes what The Bible says. Do I fear for my children’s future? Yes I do.  Because they are growing up in a world where outside influences teach them to hate God. In our home, we teach them otherwise. We are a family who cries when innocent victims die on the streets in Paris and San Bernadino. Columbine and Snady Hook. Movie theaters and malls. Car accidents and fires. We are a family who prays for sweet baby Charlotte’s who get diagnosed with kidney cancer at the tender age of 1 year old.  Who donate gifts/groceries/money to those in need. Life isn’t fair and I don’t have all of the answers. But I have rock solid faith in God. And I believe He will come through. His light will shine through these tragedies. We also pray for the hearts of every single individual on this earth. For hearts to soften. To know Jesus. To be respectful, loving, patient and understanding with others. Because that is what we are called to do. As The Bible says “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble” –Proverbs 21:23, but I cannot, with good conscience sit back while your headline blazes “God isn’t fixing this” without attempting to reach out to you. No one. And I mean no one knows how He has knit together our futures. Our tomorrows. Our 10 years from now.  If you have any questions about Him, His existence, or His plan than I humbly invite you to attend church with my family and me. We would be happy to have you as our guest because, (again- I’m assuming) you are frightened and confused, too. Don’t be. God’s got this.

Sincerely yours,

Ann Vaughn