I was greeted by Venus, which was rising.
“Fly me to the moon,
And let me play among the stars.
Let me see what spring is like,
On Jupiter and Mars
. . . .In other words, hold my hand,
. . .In other words, darling kiss me.”
August 30th was the date of the famous “Blue Moon,” that is so wonderful and rare that it has passed into our vernacular as a way to describe the things that happen rarely. If, like me, you weren’t sure what made this moon special, you may be interested to know that it is a timing thing. The blue moon happens only once every two and a half years, and is an “extra” full moon in a season that has four full moons.
a couple of days before it was full, and became the “blue” moon..
Since August 30th is a date that has special significance for me, being my birthday, I was really looking forward to this blue moon. And while I knew that a beautiful full moon on a clear night is a sight that thrills almost everyone, I wasn’t prepared for what I found on the morning of September 1st, a day after the full moon.
Swallows, kestrels, and I’m not sure what other birds were flying over the cornfields in the west. They soared high into the sky, did a little “ET-on-the-bike” move, and then gathered momentum while they fell. Over and over again, even without meaning to, I got pictures of them in front of the moon. Every one of these pictures was an attempt to get a clear picture of the moon.
I couldn’t help but think of the song, “Fly Me To The Moon,” probably because birds fly, and they were flying in front of the moon! The lyric says, “let me play among the stars, let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars. . .”
Re-living the outdoor experience by looking at these pictures is so romantic and makes me filled with wonder! There is something bigger than us out there–many things! And knowing I am small, doesn’t diminish my worth, but rather it helps me understand.
If I cannot make a difference in some of the things I am concerned about, why should I worry about any of them? In the areas where I can make a difference, then I must do what I can, and then leave the rest up to the Lord. He is ultimately in charge, anyway, and only asks me to trust and obey Him.
Whew! It is such a relief to lay those heavy things at his feet! Being released from fear allows room in my mind for awareness (what an amazing thing the “fullness of creation” is!), for thankfulness (just take a moment and look around: Whatever your eye falls upon is an occasion for thankfulness!), and for imagination and creativity (I wake up from fear and find stories, poems and songs all around me!)
Heavenly Father, my love for you swells when I see the beauty that you have created! I thank you for this world, and for the way you made me, and for the way you made the world that delights me! I can sing the above song with sincerity if it is directed to you:
“You are all I long for, all I worship and adore!”
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19:1
The Fullers Four 