Kim Wilbanks

I have a confession to make.  I’m afraid of the dark.  Well, maybe not afraid, but it’s not my favorite.  I prefer sunshine over darkness any day.  Get it, any day?

Scaredy Cat

This isn’t anything new.  I’ve always been this way.

When I was young, I remember wanting one of my parents to sleep with me.  They usually said “no”.  Actually, they almost always said “no”.  As a teenager, I would at times beg my younger brother to sleep on the loveseat outside my room.  I’m not sure what kind of protection I thought a little boy could offer.  Maybe I thought whatever “it” was, would get him first.  I could fall asleep easily if someone in the house, particularly one of my parents,  was still awake.  If I was the last one awake, every noise in our quiet house sparked wild imaginings.

You Would Think I’d Outgrow That

I’m a little better now—should be at my age, but I admit I still don’t like the dark. Noises sound louder, my eyes play tricks on me and my imagination runs wild. 

I worry more during the night.  Why does my stomach hurt? Why do I have a headache? Are my kids safe?  Why didn’t they answer my text message? What’s going to happen next?  You get the idea.

To be alone in the dark is the worst.  I don’t sleep well if I’m not with my husband.  I’ve been known to spend the night at my parents’ house to avoid sleeping in my own house alone.  It helped when our corgi, Higgins was still alive.  I was more comfortable with him around, that is, until he would perk up his ears, look toward the door and give a low growl.  Yikes! What was that about?

It’s true, things do seem better in the light of day.  Many a night, I have lain in bed anxiously awaiting the first light of dawn.  Shadows fade in the light of day and sounds of life replace the oppressive silence of night.  The mind can clearly focus on hopeful solutions to the worries of the night.

It’s Not All Bad

I do believe darkness is good for some things.  For example, if there were no night, we wouldn’t see the bright moon or stars.  There would be no reason to wake up in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower or the International Space Station streaking by.  If the sky was never dark, we couldn’t see the Northern Lights which I am so looking forward to seeing with my husband and other family members next January.  Fireworks on New Year’s Eve or Independence Day would not be so spectacular.  And Christmas lights.  How could we enjoy all the colorful Christmas lights without the dark?

What’s Ahead

One day last week, as I was reading my Bible, I came across a verse that caught my attention and made me smile.  It was a verse filled with hope and promise.  You see, one day, there will be no more night.

There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them.                                       They will reign for ever and ever.  Revelation 22:5 (WEB)

I don’t know about you, but that makes me quite hopeful.   One day, all the things that cause me fear at night, either real or imagined, will be banished forever by the light of God. He will be the only source of light and illumination, and that is something to get excited about.