My 87-year-old aunt was attacked and beaten with a rock in her own driveway last night in Rupert, WV. She is recovering in a hospital in Charleston.

As I’m processing my anger, I’m reminded of how sin has ruined humanity. I’m reminded of how Cain murdered his brother back in the beginning of Genesis, and how — despite millennia of “progression” as a civilization — we have not progressed beyond our sinful natures. People are not basically good. We are born with a sinful desire to reject God’s rule over our lives and decide what is right for ourselves. We need new hearts and minds to submit ourselves to His rule — and these are things only God can give us.

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…”

Titus 3:3-5

As I pray for God’s righteous justice for my aunt’s attackers, I also pray for God’s mercy on all of us.