The "SuperMoon" and Other Marvels
Did any of you see the "SUPERMOON" last November 13, 14?
Facebook and Instagram were filled with pictures of the full moon that looked ENORMOUS!!!
This is what James Hill, an astronomy professor said:
"It was in 1948, the last time it was this close (to earth), at full moon."
The result was that we earthlingswere able to witness the moon at 30% bigger than its usual appearance! Wow!
It's amazing how something that unusual brought out a sense of wonder, and made many go out at night and marvel, and gaze at that vision in the sky.
"Marvel." It's a rarely used word.?It's often used as an adjective such as "Marvel Superheroes."?However, "marvel" really means:
Marvel:
Definition: n. L. "mirabilis"
1. A wonder; that which arrests the attention and causes a person to stand or gaze, or to pause. (This word is nearly obsolete).
2. Wonder; admiration.
It's easy to marvel at something highly uncommon, like the SuperMoon.?But can we find something to marvel at everyday?
*Babies and children marvel a lot.
My son Joshua and his wife Kristie posted a video of their 6-month old son Lukie, eating his first "solid" meal of pureed squash. His face was one of rapt attention. He was marveling over his food, and couldn't wait to take some more. When was the last time I got excited over tasteless vegetables? :D Haha!
In my journal, there are Batman and Robin cartoons sprinkled on its' pages. When my 2-year old grandson Philip sees me, he climbs up my lap, and can't get enough of my scribbles. His round eyes light up when he sees that familiar batman logo I draw, no matter how crudely drawn.
Children marvel everyday!?They are naturally drawn to what gives them wonder and excitement.?Remember the time, children were running to Jesus and wanted to hang out with Him?
Jesus replied: "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like these children."?NLT Matthew 19:14
As adults, let's keep the childlike wonder that is so pleasing to Jesus.
1. The more I learn to marvel, the less I will complain.
It's been a crazy, high-pressure season lately for Joey and I.?A lot of challenges have happened in our family, from household to job-related concerns.
Now we are both adjusting to life in another country, finding our way around without a car, buying the basic necessities, getting to know a new culture, while at the same time retaining and stewarding our manila household, ministry, and his parents welfare, as we travel back and forth.
I'm so grateful for the stretching.?I marvel everyday at how God in His wisdom made this all happen.
On our first morning at our new place, I marveled watching my hubby walk to work, in his daily black outfit and black umbrella.
Later, I marveled over laundry, scratching my head at this thingamajig contraption, that our engineer-landlord installed so I could hang laundry in our kitchen apartment.?(Confession: I haven't manually hung laundry in years!!)
But I took a picture of my hubby's all-black laundry and sent it to my family Viber group, "Look Philip, Nana is hanging Batman's laundry!")
I am so grateful for my situation despite the challenges.?And grateful I married a man of great faith.
2. Danger: The less I marvel, the more I will complain.
Have you ever been around people who complain a lot??They seem to find every negative thing in every situation.
While I'm not complacent, and I do value excellence,?I don't want to have the attitude of a complainer either.?I also don't want to grow old that way.
I want to have child-like faith all the way.?To know that Jesus is for me, not against me.?To be grateful that I'm even alive!
Dear reader, let's pause for a while.?God gives us "SuperMoons" everyday, but sometimes they are covered by clouds of worry, impatience, anger, and unbelief.
Just sitting here and breathing is an awesome gift! Better than a SuperMoon!?Having people to love and who love you is a gift.?Having a Savior, and being able to read his words are a gift.
3. Have the faith that makes Jesus marvel.
In the book of Matthew, there was a centurion with problems. He had a paralyzed man in his home, on top of his challenging job as a centurion.
He came to Jesus, problems and all, but he came with an attitude of faith, not that of a grumbler.
His attitude made Jesus marvel:
"When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following Him:?'I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith!....Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.'" Matthew 7: 5-13
Dear reader, may we all have the marvelous faith of that centurion, who came to Jesus and caused our Lord to marvel in return : >
Photo credit: Bryan Rapadas
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