I grew up in the Central Nevadan desert where I loved looking at the Milky Way flowing from horizon to horizon across the night sky. It looked like an artist’s glitter-filled paintbrush had just swept a canvas. Lovely things, the stars, I would think while counting them.
Nineteen years ago my teen-age granddaughter sent me this quote that changed everything. “Lovely thing, the dark,…” The words lovely thing paired with the word dark didn’t make sense to me at first reading. That statement plus the fact it came from the Dr. Who television show freaked me out.
After realizing my granddaughter must have sent it for a reason, I quickly read past “Lovely thing, the dark…” to read the rest of the quote. “…without it you couldn’t see the stars.” STARS! At that point, I couldn’t let the quote go. “Lovely thing, the dark….” “Lovely thing, the dark….” The more I contemplated the brilliance of that statement, the more wonderful it became. Its deep spiritual truth spoke volumes to me.
After considering the darkness my anxieties, fears, and confusion had brought into my life, I had not noticed the bright lights the darkness had hidden. They were encouraging friends, and supportive family members. Eye-opening Bible studies, enlightening sermons, and hope-filled praise songs also shined through the darkness. Each one always had been in my life and available to me, but it had taken the darkness to reveal them as they were meant to be. They were God’s bright lights of blessing placed on lampstands to guide my way to healing.
My Prayer
Lord, these things I pray for:
May any darkness that comes our way be seen as lovely because it reveals your stars of blessing lighting our path. Thanks you for them.
In our light-filled days, thank you for the lights of blessing surrounding us–glimpses of you in our friends, families, and churches. Help us recognize, acknowledge, and cherish them, especially when our busyness is shining too brightly for us to clearly see them.
And, Lord, help us keep our own lights shining for You and for others–not hidden away or even unlit.
May nothing in our lives outshine the brightest star of all, your SON. Amen
