Thinking of Moons, Moths, and the Glory of God

In my efforts to make a little money, I have an Etsy Shop where I create things that you can print at home. I create “printables” as they call them that are worksheets, games, and crafts for kids. They’re good for home and classroom.

I had such success with my Solar Eclipse packet last year that when I saw we were going to have a lunar eclipse at the end of this week, I thought maybe I’d create a Lunar Eclipse packet. But when I studied up on it, I found to see it you have to be up in the wee hours of the morning when those preschoolers are tucked snug in their beds.

Then I thought I might create a Lunar Eclipse viewing guide for adults and suggest snacks and drinks for laying out in the backyard all night long. Sounds fun!

I don’t think there would be anything wrong with taking time to enjoy and acknowledge that mysterious rock in the sky that God calls, “the lesser light that rules over the night.” Side note: have you ever noticed that God created light on the first day but created the sun, moon, and stars on the fourth day?

If you’ve been in the church or around Christians for very long, you’ve heard the moon being used as an example of us, followers of Christ, and the sun represents God. Sara Groves says it beautifully in her song, “You Are The Sun.”

You are the sun shining down on everyone
Light of the world giving light to everything I see
Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
And everywhere you are is warmth and light

And I am the moon with no light of my own
Still you have made me to shine
And as I glow in this cold dark night
I know I can’t be a light unless I turn my face to you

Shine on me with your light
Without you I’m a cold dark stone
Shine on me I have no light of my own
You are the sun, you are the sun, you are the sun
And I am the moon

When thinking about the moon, my mind strolls toward the Luna Moth or the American Moon Moth.

I remember when I first saw one one morning on the wall under the outside light at the school where I worked. It took my breath away with its size and beauty! It reminded me of that Giant Lunar Moth that Dr. Doolittle rode to the moon in the original movie with Rex Harrison.

The Luna Moth I saw was majestic and it filled me with awe. Like God does. The moon, when it’s full and close to the earth fills me with awe and gratefulness to God.

You should plan to watch the Lunar Eclipse March 13-14 starting about midnight and finishing its cycle around 5:30 in the morning. Make an event out of it. Bundle up in blankets, have some pillows, make a special drink served in stemmed glasses. Have some snacks.

Take some time to be filled with awe at the celestial event. Be reminded how small we are and that the world turns without us making it happen. Appreciate the wonder and mystery of God because,

“The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world.” Psalm 19

(Just FYI, I grabbed all these images off the internet)