“We need a dark sky to remind us we are small”
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Some people claim they aren’t afraid of the dark; just what’s in it. And that’s mostly true—not being able to see what comes next is discombobulating, to say the least. Light is mood magic, especially for those of us who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. A sunny day can change my whole attitude, affecting the way I treat others and how much I accomplish. There are physical changes. Getting up in the dark this time of year, I’m in pain, and wonder if any of this is worth it. At sunset, the melancholy begins to close in. My head knows this is a temporary deal and that, as seasons change, I will too. We’ve been here before and survived. I’ve learned ways to cope; lighting a candle, doing something that requires concentration, like a crossword puzzle or game of solitaire, cooking comfort food, or stroking the soft fur of my dogs. Stepping outside to stand in the darkness for a bit helps, especially if there are stars.
Those who live in town miss that sky transformation. Artificial light isn’t healing in the way that the night sky is because we still know the dark is out there at the edge, and that’s where the unknown lurks. We need to feel our own smallness and know that it doesn’t need to be scary because, even if we can’t see it, there’s a constant source of light much larger than us.
My mother grew up in the city so her married life on an isolated ranch was a big adjustment, but she grew into embracing the dark. At the last, residing in assisted living in Valentine, she relished trips to the country where the night sky was available to her. Once, she mentioned having been up at three am. I asked if she’d felt ill. “No, there was a planned power outage for that time and I got up to check whether I can still see the stars.” In spite of macular degeneration, she could.
We do not have a yard light that comes on at dusk. Glad to live where we can’t see those of neighbors. Some of us take note of the lengthening days by keeping track of the times of sunset or taking a moment to give thanks just as sunrise happens. Whatever works is fine, there’s no one size cure.
Sometimes it’s not the actual darkness that bring us down. Reports of unrest, wars, rumors of wars, disasters, and the negativity from media, the coffee shop, or society in general seeps into our spirits like a virus. If we learn to be conscious of when it starts, we can remove ourselves from the situation; leave the room, turn off the TV or Facebook, make an excuse to tend some chore, or take up a task that requires our full attention.
Scripture promises that the people who walk in darkness will see a great light. What isn’t stressed is that first we must let ourselves walk into that darkness and look for the great light from a Source we had nothing to do with.
Meet me here next week and meanwhile be brave. Walk into the dark and look for stars.