Light in the Dark

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I am heart sick tonight.

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Not because of the election.

Not because there’s a rumor that Drake and T. Swift are dating.

But because of a piece of news I heard just the other night.

Over the weekend, at my cousin’s university, there was a tragedy. His roommate: a kind, loving, and incredibly smart young man, passed away after being the victim of a hate crime.

For being Muslim.

He was jumped and ended up in a coma. He passed a day later.

How truly tragic.

I did not know this young man, but my cousin was his best friend and roommate. And it just pains my heart to think that someone could act out in hate towards another person like that.


There’s a lot of rhetoric going around lately about immigrants and muslims and walls and whatnot. It’s nauseatingly pervasive.

And to be quite honest, I don’t exactly know all of the politics surrounding all of these issues, but I do know that this young man did not deserve to die.

I sometimes think about what Jesus would think if He were to walk around on Earth today. How would He act? What would He say?

But the more I think about it, the world we live in now is not so unlike the world Jesus found Himself in. With religious tension, corrupt dictators, huge gaps between the haves and the have-nots, an underworld of vice…I mean, they were publicly flogging people, for crying out loud.

As they say, “same ‘crap,’ different day.”

And what did Jesus do?

He loved.

Everyone. 

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This young man fell victim to a person or persons, acting from a place of ignorance and darkness and hate.

What are we to do when that happens?

Truly. I’m asking. Because I am at a loss for words. Sickened by the lowness of humanity.

We are all children of God. No matter our religion. Our gender. Our race. The language we speak. What our income is. What our political slant is. We are all made by God.

We are all sisters and brothers.

Which, excuse the cliche, but it is the truth.

Perhaps if we were to approach how we talk to others, how we handle our disputes with our classmates or landlords, how our nation governs itself, how we treat the homeless, our veterans, the sick, the unborn, the mentally ill — each and every person — no exception — was made by God and is therefore inherently good.

Why can’t that be part of our worldview? Our foreign policy? The way we treat others?

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This young man, *sigh* I am just sickened by the cruelness of the world and my heart breaks for his family and friends and my cousin.

Yes, there is darkness in the world, but you and I, we can be lights.

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We can live our lives in a way that reminds those around us that there is goodness still. There is hope still. There is a reason to go on.

And if each of us lights up our own little dusty corner of the world, we can make a difference. Because light, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, it makes a difference. It shines and encourages others to do the same.

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I pray for those left behind in the wake of this tragedy, and I also pray for you reading this. That you and I may have the courage to be that light when the world is dark.

It matters.

Now more than ever.

It matters.

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329 thoughts on “Light in the Dark”

  5. I’m filly with you on this. We’re ALL children of God and every single one of us does have the potential to be a light in this darkness. I pray that I’m a light as bright as you are. Stay blessed 😘

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      1. You’re welcome and thank you for your kind words and support 🙂 they’re truly appreciated as well as our friendship. I always look forward to your blog posts because they’re so hopeful and raw.

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  6. Another incredible, thought-provoking post. It is true there is a lot of darkness and evil in the world. It gets quite a bit of attention in the news, social media, and just about everywhere. I decided awhile ago I can mourn with those that mourn and comfort those in my small sphere of daily human interactions, and rejoice with those I interact with, as well. I can be a light for those to the extent that my light casts its glow. That is really the only way I have learned how to process the darkness of this world. I have to believe that Jesus Christ will bring the peace that our world so deeply needs. Thanks for your heartfelt thoughts,
    Robert, the “Thunker.”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Robert, this is such a beautiful outlook on life. You’re so right, we all have a small spare of daily human interactions, and our light and encouragement can make a big difference to those around us. Keep doing you. You rock 🙂 big hugs xox

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Reblogged this on thotsfromgeorge and commented:
    Pls read this, think about it. More than thinking of what is written, let’s think of our own lives. Not that I think anyone reading this were hurt another person, specially over a racial matter, but how about thoughts. What do you think, deep down, where no one else sees or hears. Jesus Christ knows each thought. He taught us to love all, and to show love to all.
    I give a challenge that we each do this, daily, every opportunity, be nice, smile, seriously. This is serious business, about real lives, real people, each one who Jesus created and loves. Thank you.
    George

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Also shared on fb. Your post is so heart wrenching it needs to be seen by many, and the thoughts of many need to be reconsidered in their own minds.

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  11. It is extremely tragic, what happened to that young Muslim man. And really that is the unfortunate climate of society we live in, no matter what you’re religion. As you alluded to, there’s hate, divisive rhetoric, selfish politics and a slew of other ridiculous things that people seem to really think are important or worth doing.

    We as Christ Followers most certainly have a duty to not harshly judge others in a manner that is even more divisive or painful, but rather educate and love on people and try to empathize with their struggles, their thoughts, their pains. Sure, sometime we have to stand our ground and be strong. And sometimes that means speaking truths and our minds.

    But above all, we need to continue to live as lights to others–as living examples of how different and set apart God was and is, and the type of lifestyle that allows us the freedom away from all of those nasty things. Honestly, the world needs the Church, us, showing a Christ-like lifestyle now more than ever, I think.

    I will definitely pray for your cousin and the family of the young man!! It breaks my heart hearing this type of stuff. What a great post nonetheless.

    Liked by 3 people

  13. This is terrible. I’m so sorry. May we all shine our lights in the darkness. 

    From: BeautyBeyondBones To: adriennekb100@yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, November 3, 2016 7:00 PM Subject: [New post] Light in the Dark #yiv4253943010 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv4253943010 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv4253943010 a.yiv4253943010primaryactionlink:link, #yiv4253943010 a.yiv4253943010primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv4253943010 a.yiv4253943010primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv4253943010 a.yiv4253943010primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv4253943010 WordPress.com | beautybeyondbones posted: “I am heart sick tonight.Not because of the election.Not because there’s a rumor that Drake and T. Swift are dating.But because of a piece of news I heard just the other night.Over the weekend, at my cousin’s university, there was a tragedy. His ” | |

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  14. It is very sad, and that’s why I think a vote for our secular leaders should not depend on any sort of belief. People vote for their ‘belief leaders’ every day or every week, by choosing what house of worship to attend, or choosing none of them. That is a right. But a secular leader is compelled, or should be, to accommodate all people, and work to serve everyone. Thus, our votes should be for who benefits the greatest number of people, in my opinion.

    This election has brought some people to the forefront who should never have felt emboldened. I’m sorry for your cousin’s loss, and the family of the roommate. It’s not my America.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. This is such a sad story and it is not what God wants at all. As Christians we must not hate or we become the thing we hate. We cannot attack those who are different than us or those who disagree with us because then we lose ourselves. That said the reason this happened is because all people are inherently sinful and unless a man opens himself up to the love of Jesus that man is capable of the most heinous evil

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  18. Such a good post. I’m so sorry for the darkness in the world and for the sadness and grief this family is going through. The only way to drive out darkness is to burn a little brighter, love a little harder. Hang in there and take heart.

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  19. Light and Dark fight against each other in this world. There is Light side and Dark side in all things. World consits of Light side and Dark side. God knows how both sides are, of course. There are a lot of appearances to be unfair on our communities but there is reasons there. To be sure, there is no unfair in this world. God doesn’t allow such unfair because God is always fair. When people don’t understand the reason, they say it is unfair.

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  21. God Bless You for writing this!! How sad this is. Everybody today goes on about how we’re all different between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Do you know what is the only thing that separates us? Its the fact that Abraham did not accept his illegitimate son Ismael. So Ismael went out into the dessert on his own in life and through him along came Islam. If Ismael HAD been accepted into Abraham’s fold (as he should have been), so much would have been so different today. This hatred needs to stop. It is ripping our world apart with the acts of some. Hugs You!! Love always! xoxoxoxo

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  23. This makes me angry and sad at the same time. He didn’t deserve to die because of someone elses prejudice, preconceptions, or fear. When will we stop seeing ourselves as Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Bhuddist, Jewish, etc. and start seeing ourselves as fellow human beings? It’s hopelessly optimistic, I know, but I live treating others as I would like to be treated.

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    1. Hi there friend, thank you for your support. You’re so right – he did not deserve that. And how gut wrenching it is. I love how you live your life. If only more people would adopt that way of compassion. Sending big hugs to you xox

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Very wise words filled with so much truth. I hate how this world is so dark, it can be intimidating at times, but also empowering and push me to shine His light even brighter and show His love even stronger – which it appears your heart burns for it as well. Great work – on the blog (I’ve loved all that I’ve read!) and on being a light. My prayers are with those the young man’s loved ones.

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  26. Amen….

    As Pope Francis said, “let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.” We are called to show this in each step we take in the world.

    Let’s pray for peace, tolerance and understanding.

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    1. Hi Rob, thank you for this. You’re so right…that is a beautiful prayer. Peace, tolerance and understanding. What a different world we would live in if we all adopted those powerful and life-changing things. Hugs to you xo

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  27. Good overall message Caralyn. Sad to hear about your cousin’s roommate.

    I thought of this quote while reading your post: “Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” Supposedly spoken by Gandhi and I feel that it may bring some light and hope amidst the darkness.

    Love your posts, as always.

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  28. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship … This goal excelleth every other goal, and this aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations. ~ Bahá’u’lláh

    You speak the truth. Love is the answer.

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  30. Your writing style is similar to my own. I haven’t come across that much. Prayers are with this family. May people who are the hands and feet of Jesus demonstrate His love to them.

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  31. Very sorry to hear about the passing away of your cousin’s roommate. May his soul rest in peace. I have always believed that hate, like ego, is an emotion that causes more harm to the self than to the outside world. The more efforts we take to overcome these demons from within us the better… And the best way to overcome it is by love. The more love you have within you, less space for unwanted emotions like hate and ego within you.

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  33. As you said, little has changed sins the scriptures were written. Evil, hate and bigotry seem to expand as does intolerance. We can pray and live by our observable actions. Understanding the hatred may be beyond our comprehension. God hears every word of our communal prayers and heals every shattered heart.

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  34. Heartbreaking and tragic. I am praying for everyone affected. I appreciate another compassionate heart; that is the heart of Jesus. When I hear of incredible injustices and great evil in our world I am reminded of several verses they bring me back to the peace and love of Christ Jesus.
    (John 16:33) I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
    (John 14:27)Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
    2 Corinthians 6:4
    Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
    Lastly, probably one of my favorite verse’s
    2 Corinthians 2:14
    But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
    The reason this is one of my many favorites is that Christ leads us to victory already in hand, why? He has already overcome the world!! Praise God. Jesus, tells us over and over that during this physical realm we will see trouble, hardships, and calamities but even Jesus himself saw first hand and felt the sting and loss of death. We see in the gospels Jesus wept for Lazarus because he humanly felt the absence and He saw the pain and suffering of those left behind (That is my understanding don’t take that down in ink). I think your broken heartedness is just a beautiful fragrance of the knowledge of Him! As long as we are loving Him with all our hearts souls and minds and, then loving our neighbors as ourselves, then we are following the greatest of commands! Love covers a multitude of sin, oh the striving of Christ’s love in this human frailty is beyond me! What a miracle we have in Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord, for grace! Amen! Praying for all involved I see Him through you!! God Bless ❤ ( Sorry for the long post hahaha that would be the teacher and writer in me 😉 ) Keep on writing!! I enjoy reading!!

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  36. It’s very sad. As a Muslim it is also a little scary whenever I hear of news like this. It’s a shame that people of God cannot get along. I love that you wrote about this, but I am sorry that your heart is aching. I’ll join in prayer with you for the family and all those that have been impacted by this tragedy. It’s my hope and prayer to one day see all the children of God join together despite doctrines of understanding to coexist in peace. Thank you for your light sister. May God continue to Bless you and may your heart find peace. Peace and love.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Ilyas. I’m so sorry this His so close to home. I know it break my heart that the world has come to this. Yes, we must pray. And continue to practice compassion and inclusion. Thanks for this beautiful and powerful perspective. Much love to you friend. Sending massive hugs. Xox

      Liked by 1 person

  37. That is terribly upsetting. I know violence isn’t the answer but I hope there is a punishment fitting the crime to those that committed such a blatant act of hate. I hope your cousin is doing well.

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  38. Death is hard and makes hardness in people because every death is senseless. It is hard to understand and harder to come to an understanding with because it’s selfish. Jesus was given poison at crucifixion but refused, the Greek word was Chole. It sounds like gall but for Him to have that much selflessness in death makes those that seek death in self or others that much more selfish. I want to believe I’d have the same strength at death like Jesus, like your cousin’s roommate to not take poison. I think that’s why we’re here to find those principles to live and even carry those lifesaving principles into our deaths.

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      1. I, like hugs. I have lost many friends through the military and in my life. Love and gaining perspective is something we as people have rarely tried. Our lives may be different but it is our differences that make us great as a nation. I’ve experienced many cultures and it only strengthens my faith in humanity. Our common thread is that we are human and that should be enough.

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  39. I’d heard about this in the news and was so disturbed by it. It’s quite surprising to know your cousin was his roommate, and also shows again what a small world we live in. Unfortunately, this kind of divisive hatred of those who are different from us is spreading, especially in this political climate. When we speak or think negatively of others, we harm ourselves and it reflects what we carry inside of us. So, yes, I agree that we need to be a light in this world, and keep praying that we see what we need to see inside ourselves as well. Thanks for this post, Caralyn, on the need to be love in the world.

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  40. I love this: “We can live our lives in a way that reminds those around us that there is goodness still. There is hope still. There is a reason to go on.” What a beautiful thought.

    May God be with your cousin and his roommate’s family in their sorrow.

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  41. You may delete this post if you wish; it doesn’t fit the tone of the other comments.

    I’m sorry this murder happened, but it is just one of many killings. There were over 6,000 hate crimes in the US in 2015 and crimes against Muslims were up 78% over the year before. Figures for 2016 aren’t available yet. They are probably much higher as hate groups are feeling empowered this year by the Trump campaign.

    Yes, Jesus loved. But he also spoke up. He taught. He didn’t pretend that nothing was happening or “it’s none of my business.” He neither pretended ignorance nor inertia. Those are luxuries for which he had not time, and neither do we now.

    We saw with Hitler what happens when good people stay silent. Did we learn anything? Silence and inaction give permission to evil. Jesus wasn’t silent or inert.

    Along the same lines, there was a quote attributed to a chaplain at Pearl Harbor, “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.” As a friend says, “positive thought without positive action produces positively nothing.”

    The hate groups are rising (the KKK, the Nazis, the white supremacists) as are the hate politicians. The could slither back where they came or become the next generation of Brownshirts. If the latter, the killing is just starting. Will you try to stop them or help them? There’s no neutral ground.

    I believe God gave us eyes so that we could pay attention, and brains so that we could understand and act as needed. That’s what Jesus did and its what we need to do.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Vic, thank you for this perspective. There is definitely some strong food for thought here. I do think we all can prayerful consider taking a stand against bigotry and racism and hatred. We can lead by example. We can say something. We can teach the next generation compassion and empathy. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Hugs and love xox

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  42. Amazing post. All the hate in this world is becoming so overwhelming, but you make such a great point. In times like these, we need to ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” and, “How can I make the world a better place today?” Love one another, day in and day out.

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  46. This hurts to read. Out of so many senseless acts this has to be high on the list. I will say a prayer for his family and yours as you mourn & celebrate such a beautiful life. Why world? We can all love better. We need to love better.

    -JV

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  48. So sad! This here is one thing you can continue to do. Bring light to the world by testifying Christ. In these dark times the world needs more who speak out and shine. Beautiful, poignant and heartbreaking piece! My prayers ❤️🙏🏻

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  50. An incredibly honest and moving piece. And yes – we must be the light and remember that we are all light. Even in the face of darkness. God bless this young man and his family – and thank you for sharing such a raw and thoughtproving blog xx

    Liked by 1 person

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