Somewhere between twilight and midnight skies time

I love the sky! I love the clear azure blue; the puffy caricature clouds; the dark stormy seas of swirling clouds lowering deep into tips of funnels while the sky turns green; the soft steel gray where you hear profound silence while snow falls. There are so many amazing skies. I couldn’t possibly describe them all.

Can you see in your eyes the streaks across the sky that light it up like fire in the evening? Clouds must be present to create such beauty. Close your eyes and watch the sun sink lower and lower beneath the horizon. (Well, close your eyes after you’ve read this through once) Dusk is somewhere between that hazy lazy dusky rosey sky and the deep flames that consume the entire sky with it’s brilliance. Twilight is the deeper hues of blues, violets, and purples-- the magical time that lasts only a short few moments. It’s when you turn your back to go inside and at your glance back- it’s gone. You’ve missed it. Sighs all around because now you wait for the midnight sky. Midnight is the deep blackest blue.

But tonight I would like to touch on the Somewhere between the twilight and midnight skies.

I love to go outside at night to talk to God. I love nature. I feel very intune with nature. I feel God has done a Marvelous job creating this world. And sometimes I go outside to talk to Him. It is usually late at night. Midnight sky time. I am a night owl. I can’t remember the last time I saw the sun rise. Sometimes I go out in the afternoon rainstorm sky. I love rain. But it’s usually midnight sky time because everyone is in their homes, so if i feel like talking quietly out loud, I can do so without feeling awkward.

Well, the other night I went out in Somewhere between twilight and midnight skies time. The world was hushed. It was a cold windy night. No one, but me, wanted to be outside. I had been talking to God about something. I was praying for something very specific. You know those moments? Is God listening? Does He listen? Is there a God? Does He know you? Well, I know there is a God. I know He knows me. I know He listens when I pray. But Was He Listening to This Very Prayer??? Right NOW??? I needed Him to hear this prayer. I was outside. But I felt disconnected. And I Always feel connected to God when I’m outside. I was sitting on my stone steps and sighed. I sighed and thought “God isn’t listening right now.” Then I leaned back to rest my arms on the step behind me and I looked up. Do you know what I saw?

No. I did not see God.

I saw the Pecan tree with stars twinkling brightly through the bare winter branches. I stared at them. I traced the graceful lines of the branches that only nature-- through God-- could create. I looked at the stars and was filled with such appreciation that the sky was clear- no clouds to block my view of such wonderment! I felt connected to God. I knew that He in fact was listening to my prayer- that prayer- at that very moment! Gratitude filled my heart.

It amazes me how such a little thing like pecan tree branches and stars could bring comfort and gratitude to my heart. How many times in our lives do we skip past the Somewhere between twilight and midnight skies time thinking those hours are dreary, dreadful, and depressing? When in fact, they are hours filled with pleasantry, peace, and possibilities! What a delightful outlook!

May we all enjoy our Somewhere between twilight and midnight skies time- every day!

‘Til next time,

Arla