The sun begins to set on this November night as I look out my kitchen window. The bright sun that lit my day, all day long, slowly turns to glowing, multiple, softer colors to soften the transition to my night’s dawn.

Unfortunately for us today, we merely turn on more lights and even more lights to assure us that the sun is still lit and will remain brightly lit.

The darkness of night brings about a restful sleep to begin a new sunny day. But now, while still awake, it is complete darkness outside my kitchen window. Darkness. Darkness surrounds me but never, ever envelopes me. Darkness quiets me. Darkness gives me unbounded space. Darkness gives me that pause that sun does not allow. Darkness gives me far more than me.

Doing and performing? That’s the task of sunlight. Darkness? The darkness of light empowers us with a perfect spiritual opportunity for reflection. “Darkness of light! Oxymoron? Not a chance.

Turn off some of those evening lights. Immerse, revel yourself into the darkness that is the most important part of your evolving life.

Unfinished business? Lifted up to God, complete with a thankful heart. Hope? Only with the grace of God can you continue. Resolution? Sometimes it is simply over, or there maybe a sunny tomorrow. Regret finally forgiven and forgotten? The best of all, dissipated and dissolved into the mystery of life. Peace of God? Far beyond the daily sun offerings but savoring God’s melancholy sunsets together with God’s entwining midst into the unraveling of our darknesses.

“Good night.” It can take on a new and more meaningful expression for you and for those whom you wish it.