Have you noticed the stunningly beautiful full moon the past several nights--and early mornings? Astronomers could tell us why the moon seems closer and fuller this time of year, but not me. I remember Midwestern October moons glowing yellow or orange. I used to think they looked almost close enough to touch. Here in the Sacramento area, at least this year, it's knock-your-eye-out- white. I love full moons, and I'm always a bit sad to see them wane.
I stood and marveled at it the other night. Not for the first time I thanked God for the orderliness of the moon and the sun. Every morning the sun comes up--and sets every evening. Every night the moon rises, even when we can't see it. No matter how crazy everything seems to be in the world, there they are, showing up on schedule. Somehow knowing that reminds me there's more going on in the world than the stuff that makes the news ... or even in my life.
I find it totally amazing that astronomers can predict the exact time of the rising and setting of the sun, the moon, and the planets--and the phases of the moon. Since the moon afffects the tides, they know the exact time when the tide will come in and when it will go out. Yes, I know it's science, but nevertheless, the absolute predictability of all this blows me away.
My mind always goes to the first chapter of Genesis:
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth. And it was so. God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars ... And God saw that it was good. --Genesis 1:14-16
Ever since, in every continent on earth, people have been looking up into the expanse of the sky. They stare at those two great lights--and at the stars--and say some variation of what I've been saying, "Wow! Look at that!"
Don't miss the sky show. Take it as reassurance that no matter how bad the predictions on all sides, the world will go on. How do I know? We have the sun in the morning and the moon at night, that's how.
And behold, it is very good!
Lenore
Your comments welcomed!
