We live in a world saturated with headlines of loss and conflict. Here, lately the headlines do little to encourage us. It’s easy to lose hope. Many of us felt profound sorry over the tragic murder of activist Charlie Kirk. I personally was not all that familiar with this man. What I have since learned about him and his incredibly short journey has opened my eyes and caused me to more readily acknowledge the beliefs and opinions of those other than my own. This tragedy also reminds me of the profound challenges of civility and peace in our political discourse. Why is it so difficult for us to engage in respectful debate and to reject the use of violence as a political tool? I pray that the loss of this man will lead us to a spiritual awakening that will bring peace and harmony to our society. Even in the shadow of such grave events, we are continually presented with powerful evidence of human resilience and the enduring capacity for positive change. Through the tireless work of our nation’s diplomats and this administration’s efforts, the Middle East has seen a breakthrough in an endless war. Families have been reunited with the return of the hostages, and the guns are silent for now – a powerful reminder that even the most entrenched conflicts can be resolved with courage and compromise.