For many, this may feel like a time for celebration. After all, Phelps has led a small community of devoted people in the protesting of funerals, bashing of the LGBTQ community, abusing of their own children, speaking against the God of love, and more. Many offenses have been at the hands of Phelps and his family that followed him.
As a Christian who has seen the damage brought to the gospel message in the United states (and further) as a result of Phelps' actions it is easy to be upset by his life. I can understand people's desire to celebrate this death but let us remember that even though a person causes pain and does wicked deeds, they are still a creation of the God who loved us sinners and called us to his kingdom when we didn't deserve it. That person is still someone God wants to save. This God desires for no wicked person to perish and beckons us to love all people, especially the ones with whom we are at odds. Jesus has shown us these truths clearly.
Let us pray that God has mercy on Fred Phelps and his family and that they find blessings in that grace. May we have the Spirit of God so that we may react kindly to them and treat them as we want to be treated. We teach love by loving so let us love and forgive in breathtaking abundance. Whatever awaits Fred Phelps in judgment will be right and just. We can trust that and because we can trust that we can also extend uncompromised love to his people.
The Westboro Baptist family has lost a loved one and they deserve for us to share in their mourning as compassionate people. Let love win out in your heart, your mind, and your feet as you approach this news. May the peace of Christ be with you and with the Westboro Baptist community and may god have mercy on us all, sinners.
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