This morning, I awoke with a song in my heart and a praise on my lips. My spirit was crying out, surely, the Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever, based on Psalm 100:5. I strongly sensed the presence of the Lord in my bedroom, and I am immensely grateful for that.

As Psalm 16:11 tells us, “In His presence, there is fulness of joy.”

Amen?

His joy is needed—now more than ever—as there has been a lot going on, specifically surrounding the racially motivated supermarket massacre in my hometown, Buffalo, New York. It is surreal that evil of this magnitude has visited our city, but as I noted yesterday on Facebook, God is still in control.

However, I cannot lie; my heart is broken. Our city is stunned and hurting. My prayer is, God, heal our land.

If you have been following me online, you already know that I personally knew one of the victims, Mother Pearl Young. Before her life was violently snatched away by a hate-filled gunman, this sweet 77-year-old missionary and Bible teacher faithfully fed the hungry. She consistently served her local church.

I will forever be grateful that before she exited the earth and entered eternal rest, God granted me the honor of sitting under her teaching and being influenced by her ministry. Though I now serve as first lady alongside my husband, Kenya, pastor of City Church Buffalo, we formerly attended Good Samaritan Church of God In Christ (COGIC) with Mother Young. She was our children’s Sunday School teacher who loved our family and always went out of her way to show it.

As you are aware, due to sustaining brain trauma in 2019, I have lost a lot of memories. But, when my sister, Shavette, called to tell me that Mother Young had been killed, memories of her came rushing back to my mind. The indelible mark she left on me could not be scrubbed away even by damage to my brain.

Bishop Glenwood Young, my Jurisdictional Bishop, is Mother Pearl Young’s brother-in-law. My husband Kenya and I visited Bishop Sunday at Shavette’s house, where we gathered to eat and fellowship. Shavette and her husband Glenwood, my brother-in law, are the ones who went to Mother Young’s house to check on her as news of the shooting broke. She had been dropped off at the store following a prayer breakfast and planned to walk home, as she lived close by. Family members worried when they could not reach Mother Young.

Shavette and Glen knocked. Rang the doorbell. Peered through the windows. There was nothing.

And then came the earth-shattering news: Mother Young had been fatally shot in Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson in the inner city of Buffalo. She was among ten victims that lost their lives due to the heinous crime committed by an avowed white supremacist.

Lord, help us.

As you can imagine, it has been difficult trying to process this devastating occurrence which none of us can fully get our heads around, you know? It is indeed a sad, heartbreaking time, which is why I am exceedingly glad that God’s presence lingered in my room today. Communing with the Holy Spirit has power to soothe like nothing else.

Though I confess that I am having trouble understanding how to navigate this moment, I appreciate the nearness of God and the presence of the Almighty who comforts us in our affliction. I am seeing the truth and relevance of Psalm 34:18 anew: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Despite my heart being broken, I have unspeakable joy, for the Lord is nigh. Therefore, I will not sulk. I refuse to walk in fear. I choose, instead, to trust God, pray for those who are torn apart by this travesty, and continue serving the Lord with my whole heart by serving His people in my community and beyond.

As I write this devotion, there is a Scripture that is resonating with me: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

This is the verse I am stirring into your cup of inspiration. As you drink down the contents of your cup, know that just as I have hope in affliction, so do you. When your heart is broken, you can take heart in knowing that Christ, our conquering savior, yet has all power in His hands. That power extends to us, making it possible to be joyful in the darkest, most depressing times.

Aren’t you glad about that? I know I am!

Whatever you’re going through, God’s presence is near. His comfort is available to you. His joy is yours. His peace belongs to you. Finally, no matter what occurs—however troubling, ugly, difficult, or tragic it is—it doesn’t change the fact that God, who is in control, has overcome the world.

And as the Scripture says in Romans 8:37, “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Now, let’s pray.

God, I don’t always understand the events of life or how to deal with devastation, tragedy, and heartbreak, but I trust You in the midst of it all. Thank You for being a comfort in my affliction and reminding me that You are a refuge, and I am more than a conqueror through You despite it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!