Insomnia

There are trails of light to follow in this world of darkness.

I read in the paper that people who stay up late have higher IQ. That is certainly not the issue here, anyway.
I've had some problems with this sleeping thing, I fall asleep during the evening, easily and then stay up late. Uneasily. But I think this is a time for insomnia, not just for me. We are going through a rather bad time in our family, that puts everything in motion inside.
Outside , however, there are sufficient causes for insomnia and nightmares. It's hard to tell what threat is the worst, the silent moving evil in the peaceful neighbourhoods we used to have, or the blizzards and thunders coming out from King Kong the 27th and other crackpots that are ruling the world or intending to. I am , in spite of all this, at ease , the words " You have no power over me" could be pointed at any of these as well as at Evil itself.

However strong in faith I may be, the suffering going on amongst fellow human beings, is horrifying. The single most horrifying about it is that I do very little to prevent it. I don't mean anyone of us could walk up to the nearest high and mighty and say" enough now!".  But there is much pain very close at hand, and very little is done to stop even that. Perhaps we are overwhelmed with this?
Looking closely and more sensible at this, there really ARE things being done, not by me as often as I would wish, but by others.

There are also organizations in which one can cooperate with others and create a stronger voice and stronger action against darker powers. In the church of Sweden we give aid through the ACT-alliance and the WCC. We can contribute through f.i ECPAT, UNICEF, SOS-childrens villages, Red Cross and many others that are willing to do the close-up work I fear I could never cope with.
I am challenged by the happenings very close to me, the refugees, the beggers, the homeless, the hidden violence behind closed doors and the growing shadows in what used to be peaceful streets .
Almost every day there are shootings in my hometown and very often someone dies. That is new to us. The burning cars and houses also. Ferocious fights with hundreds of participants take place all over. New Years eve was a "warzone" in some places, gangs aiming fireworks at eachother and all over.
In the middle of all this we have the leaders, the rulers, the selfappointed, "Godgiven", blindfolded leaders that has lost all sense of love for those they lead. They say that people get the leader they deserve, elections and all but we know that is not always true. Bad times can twist peoples minds, fear can create panic and with panic you take the wrong actions and make bad decisions.

You are a very sensible and warmhearted lot, you who sometimes visit this blog and whos blogs I gladly visit. I believe that very often we do more than we think. I also believe we have our chances to do good, some of us are not the kind rushing in and starting a movement of good, but sufficiently many are good followers. Everyone of us have got one or two great gifts to be used when needed, and it doesn't have to be any great deeds. Just making the best of family and friendship, loving ones work and being nice to who ever we meet, makes a difference. Evil gets weaker when people resist bitterness and unkindness. When we have hope. When we keep speaking up, even if we are not in the frontline. When we insist in caring and getting emotionally involved.
 The easiest way is to turn our backs and mind our own business, thinking it's too much for anyone to deal with.
But that is not what most people do, even if it is getting cold in peoples hearts, just as Jesus predicted, but I pray enough will stay warm.  And that I dare to be more than just a talker. Sigh!

Right now the actual cold is the worst threat to many and people are dying in southern Europe, mostly those without homes...no water, no electricity, no roads, no food. Famine and natures disasters can at least be dealt with through sufficient aid and money from us who have plenty.
The evil in war and human interactions is more difficult to handle, but we must remember we are not alone here, praying and keeping faith  and hope will eventually cure the insomnia, but the nightmares will stay on until daylight finally breaks through and darkness is no more.
There is a trail of light to follow, and so much love still to find in humans, I think I'll go to sleep now!