When I was a little girl, I loved to watch the stars. Perhaps it was because I was afraid of the dark, but then what little girl isn’t? The stars always made the darkness feel a little bit more bearable. They were like flashlights from heaven, shining a little bit of light into my world when the sun was resting and the sky was dark.
Some days the stars would shine brighter than I’d ever seen them shine before. And some days the stars would barely shine at all, hidden beneath clouds that blocked my view of them. But as a little girl, I knew to just wait, wait until the next night because then the stars would shine just as bright as ever.
If you don’t mind some old-fashioned honesty, I’ll let you know a secret: sometimes I’m still afraid of the dark.
No, not the dark of nighttime or the dark rooms I used to hesitate walking into when I was little. Instead, I now fear a different kind of darkness — one that settles around me a little bit tighter with every broken dream, with every crushed plan, every deep wound. When my sickness holds me back from life, I feel the darkness wrap tighter. When relationships aren’t as easy as I once thought they would be, the darkness becomes thick. And sometimes it is hard to understand the purpose of this darkness.
Have you felt this way too?
When life feels dark, we can begin to question everything. There is so much beauty in the vibrant hues of golden light that stream from the sun. We feel happy and hopeful looking forward to all the bright things that lay ahead for us. But where is the beauty in darkness?
I have watched the sun go down on many dreams. I have watched the shadows creep across the soil of plans and hopes I had for my future until there is nothing left of them. I have lived more days of this year sick than I have well. I have watched friendships fade and wounds deepen, and each time I have wondered about the beauty of this season. Where is the beauty in a season that feels so dark and cold?
But then I open those old pages of my Bible. I flip through them to a text in Isaiah, a text that speaks of darkness, and it reminds me of something that I forget in the dark.
I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places,
that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
Isaiah 45:3 (NKJV)
Treasures? In the darkness? How can there possibly be anything good in the midst of the darkness of broken dreams and plans?
And then I remember the stars.
Stars are something you can only see in the dark. I can’t see the beautiful stars when the sun is up and the sky is a vivid blue. I can only see them when night falls and there they are, shining ever brightly on the canvas of black sky.
Sometimes there are beautiful things you can only see in the dark.
I think about the losses I have mourned over the last year, the loss that has left an ache in my heart, the dark I’ve been in, and Matthew 5:4 comes to mind: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” I read the verse and I wonder, Could the hidden beauty be His comfort? Perhaps there is a level of comfort from God’s hand that we can only feel when pain fills our hearts.
So in the darkness of this season, I will look for them. I will look for the hidden treasures that God has for me. The hidden treasures that I may only be able to experience when the sky is dark and only the stars shine. And I will remind myself — and you — every day to always look for the stars.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
Thank you, Isabella, for this opportunity to stop and give thanks in this moment. Last night was one of those clear-sky, inky black, three-dimensional star map nights and our family gathered around a fire to revel in the chilly darkness. In this fast-moving life, it’s easy to take blessing for granted and move on to the next anticipated joy or needful task, but this morning, I’m going to remember yesterday’s stars.
Bella Morganthal says
Thank you for dropping by and reading, Michele! <3
Shauna says
Beautifully written, Isabella. Thank you for sharing what is in your heart. I am so sorry for your difficulties. May God bless you richly and give you comfort and healing.
Bill Gohn says
Thank you, Isabella, for a “Selah” moment remembered, shared, and (in)couraged. A Billy Graham edification came to mind after I’d pondered your pensees, to wit… “Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as adversity has done. Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, the most poignant poems, the most gripping stories. Out of suffering and tears have come the greatest spirits and most blessed lives”. (The accompanying Scripture: “For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones”. – Isaiah 49:13, NIV) Your reminder to (as Paul [Col. 3:2} writes it) ‘set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth’ makes my day – and night! Tonight (and tomorrow night), whilst looking for a glorious meteor show above, I’ll recall God’s reminder to “Lift up your eyes on high and see Who has created these stars, the One Who leads for their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing. (Is. 40:26)
Shalom & Blessings Galore,
Bella Morganthal says
Thanks for stopping by and reading 🙂
Christine Wright says
Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Isabella.
Bella Morganthal says
Thank you, Christine! 🙂
donna says
Beautiful! Thank you for this amazing reminder to look for the beauty in the darkness. God Bless you as you continue along with us on this precious journey we call life!♥️
Bella Morganthal says
Thank you, Donna <3
Rebecca says
I needed this reminder today, Isabella. Thank you for the encouragement that there is treasure in the darkness. Over my life, I’ve had more sick days than well and while I make sure to celebrate the “well” days. I often forget that I can have joy, meaning and purpose in the “sick” days – dare I say celebrate? Because these are the days when my time with my Savior and Comforter are more intentional. I quickly reflect and remember at how close He is ALWAYS!
Bless you,
Rebecca
Bella Morganthal says
Thank you for reading! Praying for you tonight <3
JC says
Thank you for the truth of this post. A timely reminder.
Bella Morganthal says
Thank you for reading!
Cassady Schulte says
Thanks for sharing, Isabella. Apparently something called the Perseid Meteor Show is happening this weekend (especially tomorrow, the 12th). The stars are going to be extra beautiful, so you should check it out. Also, the artist Sleeping at Last wrote a song about it! Enjoy
Becky Keife says
His comfort is the treasure forged in darkness. Yes! Such an honest reminder. Thank you, Isabella. xx
Olivia Bell says
This was absolutely gorgeous, Bella, what a comforting message of hope and truth! 😀 You are so right about the stars, what a shining example. 😉 This was so encouraging to me. 😀
Maylee says
Much needed message. I feel like my marriage right now is a going through a dark season. We have been married for 23 years and with the mundane routine of life, we are just like ships passing by. Deep down we love each other but we just are not progressing to much more. You are right though, we must continue to know that despite everything, the stars are still there, waiting for us. Sometimes it just takes both people to remember the hidden treasures within and bring it to the light. Just because it is or has been a bad day, this life is not bad. Thank you for sharing.