Of Moonflowers, Light, and Love

I have a moonflower vine. It grows on a trellis just outside my sunroom. Most every night I peek outside to see if it’s blooming. The flowers are as big as my hand, smell faintly sweet, and have heart-shaped leaves. It is by far one of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen.

I’m disappointed on the mornings I look outside and find all that’s left is the shriveled blossom and realize I missed one.

You see, the moonflower blossoms in the dark.

And I have wondered. Why did God create a flower that blooms only at dusk, isn’t fully open until after dark, and closes up when the sun hits it in the morning? Yet, I know the moonflower holds insight about its Creator and mine.

God’s extravagant love withheld nothing from us, not even Jesus, His Son. Should I wonder that He would place a glowing, fragrant flower in a night garden?

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:5 NLT

He gives to us so we will know Who He is and that He calls us by name. I like to think He had me in mind, this night owl of a girl who is awake when she should be asleep.

You light a lamp for me.
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
Psalm 18:28 NLT

I planted my vine as a reminder of God’s goodness and the fact that there are treasures hidden for us in the darkness. He Who is rich in kindness and grace, mercy and love knows your name and mine.

The Creator of the flower that blossoms in the dark wants you to know He sees you in your dark times. Perhaps it is even possible to remain faintly sweet when your outlook seems dim.