Wonders we cannot see
I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights, but the opportunities to catch them were few and far in between since city lights have surrounded me. When that rare chance appeared over Labor Day weekend, I searched out this natural wonder, hoping to catch even the smallest glimpse of something spectacular.
I found an area where stars weren’t diluted by lights and traffic. Using a trick I’d learned online, I raised my phone camera to the sky, trying to see if I could maybe, just maybe, capture a sliver of the Aurora through a photo.
All I captured was a clear sky with a bunch of stars—nothing else. Disappointed, I returned home.
Later that week, scrolling through my photos, I stumbled upon those attempted photos. It wasn’t until then that I noticed I could see the just the slightest trace of green among the starry sky. It was there—incredibly faint, but there.
That picture stayed with me throughout the month as I started to think about what it means to believe in something wonderful, even when we struggle to see it. We navigate the world through our senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell—so if we can’t use them, do these things even exist?
This world continues to feel heavy with bad news—war, violence, divisive politics—among the weariness in our own personal lives. It can be hard to see the wonder of God’s creation. We often forget something equally important—God has worked God’s own wonder in each of us throughout the ages.
Even in times when we are distressed, anxious, or turning inward to protect ourselves, we may forget to see the wonder of God in one another. But just because we struggle to see each other’s or our own beloved-ness, doesn’t mean God’s is not present.
I think of that first Easter morning when the women came to the tomb, found it empty, and were frightened at what they saw—or didn’t see. Though they didn’t witness the raising of Jesus’ body, the Resurrection was still there. The women proclaimed the same wonder of God that was for them, for the disciples they ran to, and that is for all of us.
In times when we struggle to see God’s world in splendor, may we capture every opportunity to see the wonder God has created in each one of us.
Nancy Ingelson
Maddy, thank you for these images and inspiration.
Richard Farrar
Love this message… thank you for inspiring us to keep the faith, and trust even when it is hard to see God’s big picture from our own perspectives.
Cindee Schnekloth
Thank you for the timely and inspirational reminder of Gods love and goodness ❣️
Blessings!
Cindee
Deborah Lamp
Wow what a positive message, it reminds me of Bible verse Phil 4:13. How believing gives us hope and strength. You put those words to beauty and always look for the green ( or other colors) it is really beautiful to see.
Jeanne Withycome
This is beautiful writing. I try to find something beautiful or of wonderful every day. It’s kind of the cane I lean on. This week I had a tiny toad in my flower pot , a swallowtail butterfly, several hummingbirds, and a picture of my new great niece marking her one month birthday. And today your message. Thank you.
Laura Chester
What a wonderful observation and piece of writing!
Vicki Felger
Maddy, such a wonderful narrative during these tumultuous times!! Let us look for that green sliver! Thank you!!