There is a before January 24, 2026 and an after. Before doesn’t matter much anymore, it is in the past. I will say that I had been scrambling for a foothold most of January, and then the hand of Jesus pulled me back onto his path. He said “follow me” and his Spirit of calm confidence found a home inside my skin.
I am an ordinary Minnesotan. Daily I choose to follow or be tripped off the path and scramble around. My reality is most days I scramble around.
Thanks be to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (I mean that seriously), I was back on the path when January 24th happened. The killing of Alex Pretti, seen so starkly, brought me to trembling & weeping. I have been sitting, standing, and praying in tears, but mercifully on His path.
Here is what I saw, heard and felt in the days preceding, during and after January 24, 2026:
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to being with faith leaders of all kinds (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist) praying together for peace and justice
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to walking with thousand in -40 degree wind chills with your eyelashes frosted white.
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to kneeling outside in prayer in front of the airport terminal waiting to be arrested
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to bringing a meal to a family freightened to leave their home
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to being a constitutional observer and blowing your whistle while taking video
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to being in a car observing (and warning others of) agents who terrorize your neighbors and then being shot in the face
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to being pushed to the pavement while helping others and being shot dead
Take my hand and follow me
It may lead to weeping, weeping, weeping
Take my hand and follow me
It has lead to a place shrouded in darkness; yet, my light is here too. Believe it!
Seeking The Light 
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