When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)
I was surprised to see that the moon was just a tiny sliver last night. Based upon the activities and interactions of this week, I was convinced that the moon must be full! What a wild week it has been and I only had to work four days. I had two evening meetings, an article to write for the newspaper and lots of meetings and appointments. One day, I had a meeting at 8:30, a speaking engagement at 1:00 and meetings at 4:00 and 7:00. That left very little time in the office to do my regular work of research, writing and answering queries from staff and customers. Or to go home and throw something in the crockpot so my family would have something to eat for dinner. It is hard being a working woman even after the kids have grown, flown the coop and then, returned. I used to be so much better at balancing family and career. Now, that I am older without little ones waiting for me to tuck them in, it is harder to say no. I am going to have to imagine myself needing to be tucked in, I guess. One thing it was not hard to say no to was a request by a local paranormal group to go ghost hunting with them. Though they tried their best to convince me, even showing me a video of “orbs” (looked like white moths to me), I have no need to walk around in the dark hunting spirits. Stars now, that’s another thing entirely. Encouraged by Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, I bought a stargazing book for kids. I really want to learn to identify constellations and planets instead of having to call the local astronomy club representative and stammer, “Bright light, eastern sky, about 6:00.” I want to know for myself. Taylor encourages star gazing noting that not only does it strengthen our faith in Creator God as we realize the steady nature of the sun, moon and stars traveling through the universe beside (not around, as we imagine) planet Earth but it builds in us a sense of wonder as we see the night sky and the possibilities it awakens in us. Beautiful, curious, and humbling, too. I am but a small speck in the universe. My problems are temporary moments in the eternity of time. Quite depressing unless you think that the Creator of all that beauty desires a relationship with each of us. Almost as mind boggling as whether or not there is other life on one of those stars. So, I have been trying to take some time each night or early in the morning to spend some time figuring out the patterns or the stars and the orbits of the planets. Thinking deeply about the past and the future. Saying thank you for what I have. Breathing in the wonder of it all. And it helps to know when the moon is full.
Beautiful! Do you ever get to see "StarGazers" on your PBS channel? They're little one minute fillers that tell you what's going on in the sky that week. THIS week, there are a couple of comets near the Pleides that can be seen with good binoculars. My husband says it's a small fuzzy dot, but you can see it. Also looking for that asteroid that's going to pass by Earth this week. He's much better at stargazing than I am. As long as I can find Orion, I can go from there, though!
I always feel the immensity of God when I look at the night sky.