“In a world full of Sabrina Carpenters, Taylor Swift, and Kardashians…….be an Erika Kirk.”
“Amen,” I said, reposting this reel to my stories after enduring a small portion of the suffering of losing a great man, defender of our faith, and a republican hero just a few short weeks ago.
I didn’t know much about Erika Kirk before the dreaded day when she had to take up her husband’s legacy and become the head of her household and strong arm for her two toddlers after her husband was brutally murdered. I knew she was the former Miss Arizona and knew what a beautiful soul she was, as she stood by Charlie’s side with faith as her forefront. (Isaiah 40:31)
But now, I see the heroic virtue she withholds and her strength in God’s plan and path for her and her kids. So, when I saw someone of the faith online go after the new movement of “Be like Erika Kirk,” I knew I needed to write about it. I knew I needed to write what it means for me, and what it means for so many others who have put this in their bios, and on their hearts.
Erika Kirk at the Memorial for her husband, Charlie Kirk || Credit to rightful photographer
Proverbs 31 reads, “She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
In my heart, I have seen Erika in just the past couple of weeks be a Proverbs 31 woman to a T. With tears in her eyes, she has been making statements to the country her husband loved so much, has become the CEO of Charlie’s company, Turning Point U.S.A., pointing the world to Christ, and still being the pillar of strength and now head of the household for her and Charlie’s toddlers.
In recent years, Erika has started a clothing brand, PROCLAIM, which gives back to the community. When someone buys a sweater from her online store, a sweater will be donated to a homeless person. She is also the founder of BIBLE365, a program dedicated to the sole purpose of reading the entire bible in one year, along with thousands of other Christians.
Both charities give back to the community = Charity & Love, and further people’s walk with the Lord = helping our brothers and sisters get to Heaven. This is what God calls us to, regardless of our political views and standpoints.
Participating in beauty pageants was a way to raise money to give directly to the less fortunate, and that’s why Erika partook in them.
Mrs. Kirk is a devout Catholic, attending daily mass and pursuing a doctorate in Biblical studies.
These aren’t just points, but they are the sole of Erika’s life and purpose, along with the greater purpose of being a wife and mother, walking her husband and kids closer to Christ. Before Charlie’s death, he was attending daily mass and in a conversation with bishop Barron, “this much closer to becoming Catholic.”
So, what is being more like Erika Kirk hurting?
Why would it be better to follow in the footsteps of a singer, actress, or model who uses their body and looks for men chasing lust, attention from onlookers, and articles remarking about their sensuality when we could be focusing on spirituality and be inspired by Erika Kirk on this journey?
I understand, there is a line between inspired and idol-making, but all I’ve ever seen is nothing but admiration for this woman and wanting to follow in her footsteps in strength, trust, and poise.
We need to stand behind Erika as followers of Christ, people of the Republican party, and all of humanity. Though she makes statements, has taken over her husband’s dream and business for him, and dresses with such dignity and wipes the tears from her face on a podium, we have to remember something.
It’s easier to feel less alone when you are surrounded by 200K people, who are all respectfully mourning the death of your husband and carrying on his legacy. But Erika is the one going home to a cold and empty house where the hallways must echo without Charlie’s voice. She is raising her children without their father, she will have to explain to them the heinous act of violence that took their father’s life, she will have to send her children off to their first days of schools by herself, console her son when he has his first broken heart, and console her daughter when she gets married one day where her father isn’t present for the father daughter dance.
The thoughts swirling around in Erika’s head, the murder replaying every time she closes her eyes, and the weight she carries on her shoulders and heart.
Maybe the woman who posted negatively about ‘Be an Erika Kirk’ didn’t mean ill intentions, but be respectful and save this post for a day where the mourning isn’t as earth-shattering, where Erika is still getting her affairs in order, and the world isn’t so grey. Remember that there is a mother out there who is missing her husband, with the bible in her hands, saying, ‘Lord, they know not what they do.’