About the Author

A writer of faith by day and mystery by night, Patricia Raybon is an award-winning Colorado author, essayist, and novelist who writes top-rated books and stories at the daring intersection of faith and race. More at patriciaraybon.com

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. As a mother myself with a 12 year old who may or may not have been bullied, we cannot really figure it out, it is inspiring to hear how the boys team mates stuck up for him and the team families did the same. Racism or any type of hurt should simply NOT be tolerated!!!!!! Than you got sharing. God bless you.

    • Blessings, dear Jas! Yes, when our children take the lead, showing courage to do what is right, they truly inspire. God’s blessings on your 12 year old and on you as a mom! Sending warmest thanks and love today!

  2. So grateful for this encouragement, Patricia, to just do the next right thing. Here in rural Maine, racism is quiet, maybe underground, but prejudice shows up in the way we treat those who appear to be “less than,” the economic and social barriers forming a barrier that keeps us from really seeing each other.
    Grateful for the gift of this day as a reminder to persevere in doing better.

    • Oh, dear Michele. I love how you say that — just do the NEXT right thing. Amen! May the Lord bless us to follow Him on that path. For such a time as this! Blessings on all you do in Maine — and also on all you share here at (in)courage — to make the world better. You are a beautiful light. I’m so grateful for you! With His love!

  3. Patricia,
    This phrase really grabbed me: “God accomplishes the victory; our job is to step into it.” We may not be asked to “drop the mitts” and have a fist fight, but we are called to step into doing what is right. Sometimes we can learn a lot of lessons about justice from our kids. Their natures often have not been as jaded by society. My son played hockey on a team on which he had a black teammate and a Chinese teammate. One member of the other team they were playing was especially vocal about his insults toward my son’s teammates. Not that I encourage retaliation, but when I asked my son why he laid the name-caller out on the boards, he simply responded, “I got sick of his name calling.” The name calling and taunting stopped. Sometimes we just have to say, “Enough!” May we adults have more teachable spirits and a sense of justice….
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • So well said, dear Bev. Yes, may we have more teachable spirits AND a sense of justice. Your son sounds like a true hero. The apple doesn’t fall far! Kindest thanks for sharing his brave example today. With much love and thanks to you!

  4. Patricia,
    While it’s good that the team had their teammate’s back, it’s so sad that they needed to…….Thank-you for sharing and including Proverb 31:8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, ensure justice for those being crushed.” This speaks volumes to me.
    Have a blessed day all,
    Penny

  5. Thank you Patricia… couldn’t be a better Word for this day! I read Micah 6:8 today. DO JUSTLY, LOVE MERCY, WALK HUMBLY … with your God.. blessings \0/

    • Sadie, thank you! Amen! The “walk humbly” part of Micah 6:8 can challenge me the most. God bless you for your beautiful reminder today. May God strengthen us to obey! Many blessings on you!

  6. Patricia,

    Our world is in a sad state when we still deal with racism of all kinds in the twenty-first century. It seems more pervasive lately, maybe the news is putting it out there often. It is a shame our children have to grow up & deal with this. I grew up in Florida where blacks were bused to white schools & then whites to black schools. I never had a problem with that. My philosophy is to love everyone equally. I don’t value you based on income, skin color, country of origin, etc. Joshua had it right. We don’t need to worry about the battle just God. There is a song we sing at church “The Battle Belongs to the Lord.” That is so true. We just need to do the next right thing. Pray & ask God to help us end this hatred. I believe if people really got to know each other there would be less divisiveness in our world.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth, blessings and thank you. Oh, I agree with you. How sad our children still have to deal with a problem like racism. God bless them for standing up to do the right thing. They teach us that we can, too. Following after God! Yes, the battle belongs to Him. Let’s give Him our humble hearts and just love each other. Thank you for encouraging us today!

  7. Loving others must be modeled by parents…..love God, love others sounds simple, but self often gets us off course. Keeping my actions focused on Jesus keeps me in line most days! God’s Word definitely changes me to be the light, be the example!! Thanks for sharing this Patricia!!

    • You’re so on point, Debbie. We first learn love, or hate, at home. From there, may we as believers follow Christ to keep our selves on the right path — His path of love. Oh, it’s an amazing journey! So thank you for inspiring today!

  8. Thank you. I did read about this, but you shed new light on the story. We need to be the light. Always.

    • Irene, thank you so much. Yes, always be the light. May God give us the courage to shine bright! Thank you so much for affirming that today! With warmest thanks! Blessings and love, Patricia

  9. Patricia, this is a good word. Stand up for your friends when they are attacked. Do what’s right. It’s just the opposite of what so many are doing today: standing up and shouting pejoratives, putting down their fellow human beings, sometimes violently attacking them. Prejudice is senseless, and I’m convinced it has to be taught (like that song in South Pacific says, “you’ve got to be carefully taught.”) We are not born hating others different from us; we learn it., and it is an insidious and destructive lesson, one that morphs and morphs until it doesn’t seem conquerable. And yet, this essay, those kids, give me hope. What those kids did was to teach others . . . the African-American young man not to let this change who he was, and his Caucasian friends not to permit it. And they, in turn, taught the adults. Dr. King taught us all, and sadly, he lost his life doing it. When we stand up and speak out, like you are doing here, we take one more step to see his dream come to fruition. I saw the video clip of that young man, and it was heartbreaking. Thank you for reminding us that it is never too late to stand up and speak out. That’s the right thing to do. And there are things that are never right to do, and attacking someone because of his skin color is one. It is always wrong.

    xo
    Lynn

    • Oh, dear Lynn. I deeply appreciate your loving feedback today. You are so right. In times like these, as division and hate seem to grow wider, we can still find hope. Even from brave children. As parents and adults, may we find the courage in God to follow their best examples. As with this hockey team. Thank you, indeed, for supporting my little story. May it lift and encourage all who read it. Yes, all for Christ! With His amazing love! Blessings on you, wonderful Lynn! Warmly, Patricia

  10. Thank you Patricia for this today. I thank the Lord for those that took a stand for that young boy. His parents did a good job of teaching him to love others.

    • Blessings today, Julia! Yes, such a wonderful example by the boys and their parents. Amazing and inspiring! Thank you for reading and replying. Sending much love to you today!

  11. “God accomplishes the victory; our job is to step into it.” THIS. Today and every day. My heart breaks for the young boy who was demeaned, yet it swells with hope for his friends, teammates, and community who didn’t just feel bad about the injustice, but used their words and actions to take a stand against it. Yes, let’s be women of courage who do what is right. Always.

    Patricia, I’m so grateful for your wise and vulnerable guidance into these challenging conversations. xx

    • Oh, dear Becky. Yes, the call to be women of courage is so strong now. Always, in fact, as you say so well. Thank you for helping to lead the way! I’m so grateful for you Much love!

  12. There is so much I love about your post, Patricia. Your honesty, courage, vulnerability, and willingness to gather us here at the table to talk about a painful reality that is so complex and often overwhelming. I feel like I need to do something big to be part of the solution, but then my own little life feels like more than I can handle at times. I want my African daughter to grow up knowing who she is and how much value she brings – wherever she places her feet. I want her to know she belongs just as much as anyone else, and I pray she will be a girl becoming a woman who creates a sense of unconditional worth and belonging for others, too.

    Thank you for reminding me that “God accomplishes the victory; our job is to step into it.” I couldn’t love THIS more. Lord, show us the victory you are calling us to step into in the positions you have for each of us in Your fight for racial reconciliation, healing and restoration hope. The battle is Yours. We are Your servants, show us where to stand, what to pray, when to listen and when to speak up with love and humility, patience and kindness, boldness and courage. In Jesus’s name amen.

    • Renee, thank you so much for joining the conversation. I’m not sure why racial dialogue feels so hard to people, more so than other topics. Therefore, I appreciate you for taking time to sit and the table and add your story and insight. We all desperately need to hear and talk on these issues, so thank you. I’m encouraged, indeed, by the brave young hockey players, who didn’t complicate the racial discussion — they simply stood up for their teammate. Just one small thing. Each of us can make a choice to do that. One day at a time.

      Renee, I also pray today for your beloved daughter. Yes, may she grow up knowing who she is and understanding her true worth, which is priceless. She has a great start with you as her mom. Blessings on your family and on your kindness! With peace and God’s love, Patricia