Discovery

Discovery

Grandlady Abi has always been scared of bugs. She would scream, cry and run away from the sight of a creepy crawly or a buzzing bomber. Lately, however, she has surprised us all with her fascination for all kinds of crawling bugs. Rolly pollys and centipedes are hunted down and collected by hand into containers. She watches them with a studious gaze and reports in great detail to any listening ear. Though Abi has always loved animals, this new discovery of the smallest of God’s creatures is amazing to watch. She is learning about herself and about the wonders of insect life.

Eugene Cernan was the astronaut chosen to leave the last footprint on the surface of the moon. I watched a documentary about him that unraveled the story of his journey through the space program and beyond, but it also told the personal side of life. The movie was informative and moving. He grew from a simple farm boy, to fighter pilot, to an astronaut, to only one of twelve men to walk on the moon.

The last trip to the moon was a mission to bring back moon rocks and explore as much of the landscape as possible via the Lunar Rover. The video from that day of discovery was so much fun to watch! “Gene” Cernan was having a great time on the moon. It seemed as if he frolicked and played while attending to his duties. He saw the handiwork of God and was amazed. I was having fun watching him. As he approached the LEM to leave the moon, he stopped to write his daughter’s initials in the moon dust. It would still be a long journey for him to learn about himself and the wonders of our world.

Exploration and discovery are the themes of these two stories. Each was learning and discovering things in a new way. In the same way, I was discovering something about God. I could sense His delight as He watched His children uncover the mysteries of the world He created just for us! He was watching Abi and “Gene” immersing themselves in the pleasure of the moment and I am sure He smiled!
I know that there is much more to discover. What can I uncover today about God? Myself? Creation? The list can go on for eternity! Yes, I think I will need a place where there is no end where my spirit, soul and body can experience the glory of the Lord!

Good Father, You are timeless and endless in discovery! I have too often remained in my shell where I feel safe. Forgive me for not looking far where I can be enticed to search for more of You! Thank You for making the world a place of amazing lessons. I want to be an explorer who reaches far beyond myself and touches you! Amen.

Reflection

I have been admiring the moon these past few nights. It has been so beautiful! Lit with an iridescent glow, like a pearl sitting amongst diamonds on a dark blue velvet cloth, the moon slowly rolls up to the heights spreading the suns warmth into the darkness. Okay, so maybe it is beautiful all the time, but recently it has had an appeal for me that keeps me wondering and enjoying!

It is no mystery that the moon does not own its own light source. It is a simple orb gently encircling our earth. It is illumined by the sun and shines brightest in the dark starry skies of nighttime. Our moon was created to reflect the sun. Though it has little to offer in its own right, it has much to offer when revealing truth through its reflective properties.

We could learn an important lesson from the moon. We are created to reflect the light of Christ. We are meant to spread His light into a dark world. It is also true that when we allow the world to get between us and God we become caught in a shadow that lessens our impact in the nighttime darkness!

The moon has no choice in moving away from the shadow of the world. It repeats its lesson for us month after month, generation after generation. God reminds us continually about the shadows of the world and our created purpose of reflecting His beauty and glory so we will not forget. We do have a choice. Yes, the shadows loom large sometimes, but we can choose to stand in the light. We reveal our own truth in where we stand. I often told my children if they were sneaking or hiding what they were doing, it revealed that they knew they were wrong. In the same way when we hide away from the light by sitting in the shadow of the world, we are revealing the condition of our hearts. It is so much safer to be in the light!

Creator God, maker of our earth, moon, stars and sun, I praise You for the lessons You teach and reteach through it all! I forget so easily and fall into the shadows without thinking sometimes! Thank You for reminding me over and over that my beauty can only be revealed when You shine out to the world through me! Thank You for creating me to reflect Your glory! Continue to teach me through creation. I have many lessons to learn.

Moonlight Pearl

Last night as my husband and I left for our weekly date, we were awestruck by the moon. It was a clear night and the moon was full. It was a beautiful sight.

I could not keep my eyes off the moon. It reflected the sun in a way that reminded me of a huge pearl. Its luminousness was breathtaking! We could easily see the shadows of the lunar terrain, but it did not detract from its beauty. The shadows simply added to the mystery of the clarity and perfection of the vision.

A pearl resting in a vast ocean of deep blue was this moon. It was a gift to enjoy, a touch from the Creator. He made it for my pleasure and so I told Him how much I enjoyed it! And then i remembered about the pearl of great price that Jesus told us about. It was bought through the sacrifice of the merchant who sought it for his own.

I am the pearl that was bought with Jesus' sacrifice, but am I willing to sacrifice for Him as well? Can I say "Yes" to Him as Mary did?

Thank You Lord, for reminding me of Your pearl by showing me the moon in all its glory! you have thought of everything that could delight me and make me happy! I say "Yes!" Yes, I will live my life to please You!