I live in the LA basin and along with our air pollution and our drought, we have what is called light pollution.
So let it be known that I never see the stars.
I have to go to Haiti or camping in the Sierras to see any stars at all. I might be able to count ten from my front porch and that’s only because we don’t have any street lamps on our street. I live in old fashioned suburbia, I suppose.
So stars? Nothing.
I can count on one hand the times in my life I’ve been able to view the Milky Way in person. You know, the long arm of glowing silver that can stretch out across the night when one is in a place of clarity. When we can see the billions of stars clustered that together, they shine blushing white.
And maybe you can’t relate. Maybe you live in one of those rare places where your porch is a viewing platform for the great expanse of creation that is the night sky. Maybe you’ve never looked out into a midnight-city sky that glows an unnatural yellow rather than a deep, dark black.
Maybe at your house it’s a star-party every night.
Did you know there are whole groups setting out to protect the dark sky? They want to protect the viewing of stars — our view of the Milky Way? There are groups who are semi-militant about preserving the beauty of darkness so that we can see the beauty of the stars. It seems like a worthy cause, doesn’t it?
It does because it’s an amazing thing.
I’m raising children in a light-polluted place too. When we, on rare occasion, find ourselves driving in the California desert at night out into the mountains and we look into the black, one of the children might say,
“Oh…OH! The stars!!” They notice the sparkling in the night like perhaps it’s supposed to be noticed.
It’s like snow or even rain for them because both are so rare here. Rare but oh, so amazing when we do get to see it. We have to leave the pollution to have any luck at all.
Emerging from the city on nights like those is more than a breath of fresh air. It’s like water or like oxygen. It’s like something you didn’t know you needed until you realized you were starving for it.
In my life, like most of us, I’ve had stretches where I felt like I was step-in-step with our Creator and intervals where I’ve known that I was simply floating nearby but not necessarily with Him. When I find myself in a place where I’m not walking close, at least in my adult years, I’ve stopped beating myself up about it and simply made the changes I need to make to be back in step with Him. I don’t worry about guilt; I just do it differently.
And it’s the pollution, most often. It’s the pollution of daily life’s stresses and worries. It is the everything that happens in the in between of life that can pollute my heart and mind. Even good things like work and media and living can pollute my vision sometimes. It’s oh-so-hard to see the brilliance in life.
But that’s when we need to get away from the pollution. We move away from the light that clouds our vision so we can see the stars that shine. Getting away from the city glow helps everything.
That city glow sure doesn’t feel like pollution, does it? It seems antithetical, to move away from the light to see the Light. But sometimes we need to. Sometimes moving away from what feels like light is a good thing. We didn’t know what we are missing.
So maybe this week you need to take a break. Maybe this week I need to take a break. Maybe we need to schedule into our lives a little respite from the normal so that we can reset, refill and refresh.
So that we can see the stars shine brightly.
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Leave a Comment
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Sarah,
As you already know…I’m an early riser lol. I get up when it’s still dark outside, but every morning I have to step outside on my porch and look up to see the moon and the stars. It’s my way of getting in tune with God and acknowledging His greatness. Most mornings I am fortunate enough to be greeted with His awesome display, so it makes me appreciate it all the more on the mornings I don’t see the stars. Good for you that on days when you are out of step with God, you don’t let the guilts get you down, you just readjust and do things differently. Amen to that! Thank you for a unique perspective on seeking the light!
Blessings,
Bev
Sarah Markley says
thats wonderful Bev!! thank you! =)
Penny says
Sara,
Thank-you for reminding me that I am one of the fortunate ones that can look up to a blackened star filled sky.
I will be stepping out of the normal this week to unfamiliar grounds……
Take Care,
Penny
Sarah Markley says
yes you are fortunate! =)
and blessings to you as you move into unfamiliar territory.
Holly says
Your words remind me to be thankful that I grew up out in the country, no street lights, lightning bugs flickering through the fields… I always think of God’s promise to Abraham that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars – and imagine one of those heavenly sparkles has my name attached to it.
I am also reminded in art that contrast is a powerful thing. Lights seem lighter against dark, and shadows seem darker against light. We need both to appreciate the beauty. 🙂
Sarah Markley says
yes!!! so true!
Joanne Peterson says
Years ago at the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we were vacationing with two of my nephews when they were just pre-teens. The one was afraid of the dark but didn’t want to let on he was afraid. To help him save face and to let him know there was nothing to fear, I told him look up at the stars. He looked up and forgot to be afraid, he was too much in awe. For the rest of the trip, whenever night came he was eagerly gazing up at the stars.
At the UP, we can see the Aurora Borealis, it is breathtaking…..
I need some get away time to just be with God, in the Word, and looking up at the stars. Life has gotten heavy.
Sarah Markley says
its on my bucket list. you are fortunate. =)
Nann says
You’ve caught me in what I would have called a dark place in my life, yet I can relate. I like what you added about not beating yourself up, just making the corrections you need in order to get back to where you need to be with God. I’m getting alone, in my dark place, and looking up toward the light, and not beating myself up for finding myself off the path. Bless you!
Sarah Markley says
yes. thank you for your honesty Nann! bless you in this difficult time.
Lynn says
Hi Sarah,
Thanks, your post makes me grateful to live in the midwest…although I still need to get away from the farm’s bright yard lights to see clearly God’s night sky display. It is impressive and seems to put everything in perspective. I’d like to share this poem I wrote on the same subject:
http://madhatterpoetry.com/2013/09/21/perspective/
Sarah Markley says
yes! thank you for sharing the poem Lynn! i’ll have to check it out later today =)
Monica Sharman says
I grew up in Carson, CA and know just what you’re talking about. I was in my twenties the first time I saw the Milky Way. But from my growing-up home, I was actually able to count the number of stars I could see.
Sarah Markley says
yes. i’m right there with you!
Donna says
Hi Sara,
Thanks so much for this beautiful post. I pulled an all-nighter and I am feeling mentally and physically drained. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. God is always on time.:)
We all need a break sometimes. We need a break from our overly-scheduled lives. A break from social media. A break from our overactive imaginations and minds.
I am planning on scheduling a break this week to just be.
God bless,
Donna
Sarah Markley says
yeah. i took a break yesterday and i’m so much better for it!! thank you for your comment Donna!
Susan Gruener says
Such great truths Sarah. Although I live in Oregon (most of the time), we travel through LA often to visit family in Mission Viejo. It’s true, I don’t think of looking for the stars in the big city. We did live part time in the CA desert in one of the ‘dark skies’ communities you mentioned. Although I wasn’t fond of the ‘light police’, they have protected the community from the ‘light pollution’ you speak of. We could go out after dark and look at all the constellations…most of which I could not find or name…but I did find the big and little dipper each time. 😉 Your statement, “It’s like something you didn’t know you needed until you realized you were starving for it.” is such a huge truth! I think we are all ‘starving’ to just sit at His feet, rest, feel His peace… His presence… and His love…
Thanks Sarah
Sarah Markley says
thank you susan!! =)
angela says
Hello my friend. I love this post!! Great reminder to keep what I’m focusing on in check. To not take for granted the Light that I see all the time.
I think you should plan a trip to NC soon so that we can have a good cup of coffee and sit under the stars together. Jen’s got some good ones at her house;)
Hope the closeness of the One who loves you the most is hovering over you today.
Sarah Markley says
thank you angela!!
Angie says
I’m praying about what taking a break looks like for me this week; I am tired and it is hard to not compare myself to others who are doing more than I am; if you can pray about this with me; that would be great.
Thanks,
Angie
Beth Williams says
Angie,
Prayers for relief from the stresses that you feel. Don’t worry about doing as much as others. Do what you can and rest your tired body and soul.
May God bring rest to you now!
Blessings 🙂
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
A day like today, the first day of fall is the perfect time to hit the reset button and start everything new and refreshed, if we can find those moments for pause. For me it is the days I take a long morning walk.
Sarah Markley says
yes!! i agree!!
Meg says
Just beautiful. What a good reminder Sarah!
Sarah Markley says
thank you meg!
Beth Williams says
Sarah,
I used to live in a big city and did not like all the hustle and bustle. I didn’t feel like I felt God there. Always had a longing to move to the country. Well God answered my prayers and I live in the country. Each night I can look up and see the many stars. I also have quiet and majestic mountains to look at. I feel blessed because after hectic work days I can go to my sanctuary and feel God there!
Blessings 🙂
Sarah Markley says
i hear you beth!!!
Madison says
I need to hear this…thank you! I definitely feel out of step with God right now. This past week has been busy, and I am struggling to say no to what feels like the right thing to do; to step away from the “light” to see the real light. Thanks again!!!! xxx
Sarah Markley says
i agree madison! yes!