Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Light That Leads

The Light That Leds

 

Yesterday morning when I turned on the Christmas tree lights, the lights on top no longer worked.

My first thought was, "Oh darn it! I don't want to take everything off to put new lights on…" 

as soon as I thought it I felt a wave come over me, a silence, a knowing that the lights were not important.

 

 

The Light That Leds

 

The thought of the children, the beautiful little innocent ones who died, those who were protected but heard and saw, the teachers who did not have time to react, and those who reacted with utter awareness to shield the children in their care. The families, the brothers and sisters, all of us who felt the horrific sadness of a young man's tormented actions…

 

 

The Light That Leds

I thought of the little ones who were locked safely in the bathroom, with their heroic teacher who said,

"…We just want Christmas…"

 

 

The Light That Leds

 

The broken Christmas tree lights took on a symbolic meaning.

The lights that remain will be my prayer,

Peace, healing, and courage in memory of those who died. And for those who suffer the lost of love, peace of mind and courage to continue.

Why do I, like many others, read the stories, follow this terror, try to understand something that is unbearable ugly? I think it is because I want to crack open this unacceptable darkness, find a way to resolve it, cure it, heal it…let it go.

For this darkness that we try to understand, try to grasp and put to rest. That this darkness, that exist, will see and follow that which is light and leave us.


 

 

The Light That Leds

Philippians 4:8&9

"…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Notes:

A mother's trial with her tormented son.

 

Little Did I Know What I was Praying For, The Amish Massacre.

 

Eric Clapton Tears in Heaven

 

 

 

 

Comments

34 responses to “The Light That Leads”

  1. Heather Lindstrom

    Corey- I appreciate your sentiments and this moving post. As a School Psychologist for students with Emotional Disturbances in Butte County this tragedy comes very close to home for me. Keeping our students safe, both physically and emotionally, is our highest priority. This is heart breaking on so many levels. I wrote a post with resource links on talking to children about tragedy and grief on Stylemindchic. On a personal note, we are packing for Christmas in London and Paris-but right now it sounds far less sparkling than it did on Thursday.
    Praying for comfort and peace.
    Heather
    http://www.stylemindchic.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. Debbie Addie

    I have followed you since the beginning, and never have commented, however today, your post was so touching, it made me want to say to you well said, and what a beautiful post. I think all of us reaching out to each other, helps us in some way.

    Reply
  3. Jenna

    You are kinder than me, this tormented man was a monster.

    Reply
  4. “Auntie”

    My feeling is that we need to not let Darkness of Spirit envelope us, at such a time. The horror of it! The total horror! It can consume us, and dim any Joy Of The Season which we have.
    But what good does that do, for the survivors? None.
    My hope is that all in Pretty Blog Land, will send prayers-healing-thoughts-etc.-or-what-ever-they-do, to the survivors… And then concentrate on being a Source of Light and Joy, to our own sphere. Our own families. Even our own sphere in Pretty Blog Land.
    It’s hard to carry-on, at such a time. But I applaud all bloggers who are trying to do so. To do so, is like we bloggers, wrapping each other in gentle hugs, and helping us all, to get through this sad time…
    And also, dispelling some of the Darkness, of our old world…
    Gentle hugs,
    “Auntie”

    Reply
  5. Marilyn

    In the darkness we must hold HOPE close to our heart. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but so much healing and changes need to take place. Will we ever learn?

    Reply
  6. martina

    Eloquently said Corey. When children walk past the house tomorrow on their way to school, I will send prayers that they stay safe. So much sadness for the victims and their families and all of the people of Newtown. May all of our prayers and good thoughts for them be of comfort.

    Reply
  7. Kathie B

    This massacre also occurred during Hannukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, which undoubtedly some in Newtown, CT., celebrate. And for those of us in the northern hemisphere, religious or not, the winter solstice is approaching.
    I heard one of the bereaved Sandy Hook fathers on NPR this morning say that he’d been teaching his daughter Portuguese, and that their last words to one another Friday morning had been saying goodbye in Portuguese.

    Reply
  8. Susan

    I read your blog every single day. It gives me a beautiful perspective on life.
    Thank you, again, for such a wise sentiment in this unthinkable time.

    Reply
  9. Tracy A.

    Amen

    Reply
  10. Bev S.

    Oh Corey, thanks for the blog post today. My DH, also a pastor, took an unlit candle this morning at the services, lit it and then blew it out and put it on the Advent Wreath to remember the teachers and the children who died this week. Then he prayed this (which many will know as a verse from Away in the Manger:”
    Be near (us) Lord Jesus; (we) ask Thee to stay
    Close by us forever and love us, we pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
    And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

    Reply
  11. Pamela RG

    Corey, thank you for sharing your reflection and prayer. That was such a tragic event. We pray for the children and their families. I love your quote from the Bible. So true.

    Reply
  12. Chris Wittmann

    A senseless tragedy indeed, and your thoughts are indeed the thoughts of many. Unfortunately, evil lives and is among us all and evil has free reign on this earth. But those of us who are attuned to these things know that in the end good will triumph.

    Reply
  13. Jeannie

    Corey, you wrote so beautifully what has been tumbling around in my head. Putting politics aside and addressing the issues of mental health treatment and gun contol, something must be done. I take it as a sign that the lights atop my tree also went out late last night. Only half of the string. I take this as a message that there is hope in what remains behind. xoxo

    Reply
  14. Rhonda

    Corey, that was beautiful. I especially love the verse. Merci for bringing it all together. You just made my day.
    I have seen that look in other shoppers eyes these last few days. We feel fortunate, we feel sadness, we feel silly going ahead with our lives when others are so grieving. Praying for them and praying for the future.
    xo Rhonda

    Reply
  15. Shelley Noble

    Beautifully done, Mother Amaro.

    Reply
  16. jody

    Thank you Corey.

    Reply
  17. Paulita

    Corey, Thanks for sharing this. I don’t know if you’ve seen a post on Facebook that talks about Mr. Rogers’ understanding of tragedy, but he says his mother told him to look for the helpers. Whenever there’s a tragedy, the helpers are there to make things better, and as a society we can embrace hope as we see the helpers. The number of helpers far outweigh the number of evildoers. The helpers need our prayers too. I’m sure they can’t get those images out of their heads.

    Reply
  18. 24/7 in France

    There were and are, indeed, many “helpers” during and after this senseless tragedy. May we all learn something from this horrible incident and keep those lost “angels” in our hearts!

    Reply
  19. judyo

    Thank you, Corey, for your beautiful words. As a teacher I am still thinking of those who were trying to protect their “kids”. The horror of it overwhelms me. Peace be with us all.

    Reply
  20. Sue Schlabach 129twigandvine

    Thank you Corey. That’s all I can say. Thank you.

    Reply
  21. Linda

    Corey,
    Once again you have found the words that I often lack. Such innocence and such hope. That is what we must cherish. Thank you for the beautiful post.

    Reply
  22. teresa Cesario

    Dear Corey Thank You for sharing the beautiful word of God with us.

    Reply
  23. Cackie

    Corey,
    Thank you once again for your exquisite, heartfelt look at the world and this unspeakable tragedy. Your post is lovely. I would like to share it. Godspeed –
    Cackie

    Reply
  24. Jude

    The words, pictures and thoughts were beautiful and heartfelt, Corey. Thank you. I’ve cried for those children and teachers all weekend. Sometimes that’s all we can do, is weep for people we do not know. It’s the very least we can do for them. To acknowledge their young, sweet lives and send up prayers for their families’.

    Reply
  25. Ardis

    Thank you, Corey. Once again your wise thoughts are an inspiration to spread peace, hope, love.

    Reply
  26. Amy Kortuem

    Amen, Corey. Amen, Amen, Amen.

    Reply
  27. Anjanette

    Thank you Corey!!! Your words brought me comfort! I broke down after teaching 6 yr olds Sunday school yesterday and until reading your post I have only felt despair.

    Reply
  28. kara

    Thank you, Corey—I also was grateful for your links. May we try to find some peace today and make family most important this Christmas. Praying for the families…..
    Love,
    Kara

    Reply
  29. peggy braswell

    Arms around those who have lost + the whole town + everyone. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  30. Claire

    Thank you, Corey. Your post has helped me.

    Reply
  31. Paula

    Thank you sharing the blog of the mom with the tormented son. The information needs to go to people that there is much we do not know. There is much we do not comprehend. There is much we do not control.
    Let us go forth with renewed compassion. We never know where someone else’s path has led them.
    Thank you for focusing on this tragedy. Your words , reflecting your values, always lead to a healing.

    Reply
  32. Aimee

    You perfectly captured my thoughts. And the Bible verse, read on this day before the Winter Solstice, on the day of my New Year (the day I share with Chelsea) is, for someone who does not read the Bible, deeply moving.

    Reply
  33. Bathroom Lighting

    Wow! Just, wow! This is one of the better posts that I have seen all throughout the holiday season. I think it’s just touching, it warms the heart. Lovely, lovely post.

    Reply
  34. Lynne

    Moving words, thoughts Corey . . . tender, beautiful . . . Phillippians 8&9 . . . thank you.

    Reply

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