The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)

This is one of my favorite Bible verses [surprise! I’m quite familiar with and am very fond of much, if not all of the Bible.]

And yes, darkness and shadow is necessary for rest, for seed germination, and many other things. If the Earth didn’t turn on its axis, if it was sunlight 24/7, life as we know it wouldn’t exist.

However, for this particular pondering of dark and darkness, I am looking at the mood and trauma of people I know and love, as well as others I have never met, will probably never meet.

These are dark times, spiritually, financially, emotionally, for many people right now. Some people are experiencing frightening medical conditions for themselves, and their loved ones. It’s dark as in we as a people can’t seem to find our way, dark as in the dark night of the soul, dark as being scary, and painful.

It seems that every time we turn around there is someone talking about #MeToo or #ChurchToo or some other way they have been degraded as a human being for being a woman. Or LGBTQ+. Added to this the people I know who are in daily fear of their lives being taken because they are POC (People of Color), and the unstable person in the White House with his Twittering fingertips on the nuclear button.

It’s a difficult time, and I am not alone in experiencing nightmares, PTSD moments, anger, frustration, fear…

And yet. What I am seeing with the #MeToo and #ChurchToo movement is people being brave enough to share their stories of abuse, knowing at long last they will be believed. I am hearing #NotAllMen pulling the #NotAllMen card; some men acknowledging that they may have sexually assaulted women and others, and being willing to take responsibility, and make reparations. It’s a hopeful first step.

I am seeing my loved ones, and others, treating one another with kindness and gentleness. I participated in an intimate exchange among friends this past weekend where some amazing things went down. I witnessed vulnerability, curiosity, patience, generosity, care and loving kindness so deep it almost made me weep.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has NOT overcome it. 

Has not, will not, CAN not, as long as we do our best to treat one another with care and tenderness during this challenging time.

Doesn’t mean we can’t #resist, however that works for us. Doesn’t mean we can’t make calls to our elected officials and push back against the current regime and its abuses of power. Doesn’t mean we can’t occasionally step back from the fray and practice self-care, because we have to be in this for the long haul.

It means that “they” don’t win. It means they cannot MAKE us hate, and fear, and turn on one another. It means every day I look at this quote by Anne Frank that hangs in my bathroom (don’t judge!):

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

Let’s all shine on.
Your thoughts?