Sep 7, 2010

let your little light shine





we all have a little light to shine and i believe that to my very very core.


i want to share with you how these words became such an inspiration to me.

: : :

in august 2008, our oldest son starting dating a lovely young girl ...

a girl with a challenging past.

all her school years, she hadn't fit in ...

she was always a bit more mature than girls her age ...

she carried a huge, compassionate heart and was quiet and unassuming ...

she wasn't attracted to the 'in' crowd and therefore didn't seem to fit in ...

in high school, the peer pressures were immense and she sometimes was lured by the wrong crowd ...

she was hardworking, compassionate, loved art, her horses, the outdoors and had a keen sense of fashion ...

but it was difficult to be herself as she was misunderstood ...

she often found there was no one in her world ...

but, she wasn't bitter or angry ~ she was accepting of others for who they were.

i was amazed at her beauty ~ quiet and genuine ~ inside and out.

four months into dating our son, december 2nd, 2008, i learned something else about her past ...

the summer before meeting our son, she had been invited to a party by a girlfriend ...

the feeling of being accepted quickly turned when the friend turned on her that evening ...

putting her in the hospital with broken ribs, bruises and cuts.

i was stunned. i cried in disbelief. how could someone so cruelly and deliberately hurt her?

because i was still getting to know her, she was shy about telling me the story.

but, what she did tell me, was something i will never forget.

she insisted her parents not press charges as this friend already had a hard life ...

and besides, she had forgiven her.

and she really, really had.

if i was stunned before, i was stunned even more.

that same day, december 2nd, 2008, that i learned of her beating, i read online that odetta holmes passed away ...

the video that accompanied odetta's article is one i'll never forget ...

it spoke so directly to what i had learned that day ...

to what i truly and believe with all my heart ...

beyond all adversity, this girl wouldn't let her spirit be broken ...

she always has and always will have a little light to shine ...

we all do.

please feel free to join in ...


11 comments:

Kim Klassen said...

oh my, well... you know i adore raeanna... and this post is so beautiful and touching......and the painting... oh my word... beyond!
thank you for this today, pg.... and thank you raeanna....you are a true INSPIRATION!

xxo, kim

Marcie said...

Such a beautiful story!! Your son's girlfriend sounds as if she's learned strength and resilience in adversity. A lesson for all of us...

kelly@thebluemuse said...

this brought tears to my eyes, and at the same time, a smile of hope to my lips. her painting is beautiful, her light does shine through, her spirit.
a reminder to us all to strive for kindness and compassion and forgiveness. a reminder that true beauty is out there.

Jill said...

What a beautiful story. The video brought tears to my eyes. What a blessing for you that you saw her light that so many others missed. It was meant for you...to now share with others.

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Thank you for sharing this poignant story of forgiveness and inner beauty. :)

Suki said...

Beautiful story. Really touching and I took a piece from it away with me in my heart today!! Wonderful video too.
Thank you.

Suki said...

Let your light shine too.

Linda said...

Forgiveness is an amazing thing... the forgiver is truly set free. What an amazing young woman to learn this at such an early age.
thanks for sharing this.

Jamie said...

I felt chills reading your post. What a beautiful story and girl. Thanks so much for reminding us of the power of forgiveness

ELK said...

sang this in preschool today..not QUITE this way but it has a universal message that bears remembering ~ blessings ELK

m & g ; g l said...

Wow oh Wow.....that drew something up from deep inside me, and it burst out.
Love this song, it's got a very simple but powerful message.
Thank you for reminding us all.
Beautiful