Did You See the Wonder in the Heavens This Morning?

God painted a symbol in the heavens this morning. Did you see it? I'd never seen anything like it in my life. Neither had my husband. I asked him, "Would this qualify as a sign or a wonder?" He said, "Well, maybe not a sign, but definitely a wonder." He left to take our older son to seminary and left me with the younger three to get ready for the bus. I awakened my little ones and asked, "Would you like to see a wonder?" (Acts 2:19)

That got them out of bed! They scrambled for their coats and shoes and headed out the front door to see the wonder. It was a giant glowing circle around the moon. I knew there was a logical scientific explanation for it. There always is, but to me it was a wonder. It was something that made us go, "Cool, I wonder how that happened?"

I googled "ring around the moon" and found a "moon ring." Moon rings are caused by light refracting off ice crystals in the clouds. Folklore says it means a storm is coming. Supposedly if you count the number of stars inside the ring, you'll know how many days are left before the storm arrives. We ran back out to count the stars, but by then, the moon ring was gone.

See, I knew there was a scientific explanation. But it made it no less wondrous, and frankly, no less symbolic.

My little boys were so excited to get to see a wonder, that I decided to grab a teaching moment. Everything in nature denotes there is a God. There are so many signs and symbols of our Savior in creation: sunrise/sunset, tides, and seasons all symbolize Christ's life, death and resurrection. The moon ring was such an obvious symbol that I couldn't pass up the moment to teach my children about God's symbols in nature.

The circle is one of the most important symbols there is. It represents a completeness of truth, eternity, and life. At the center of this circle was the luminescent moon -- a light shining in darkness. What better way to symbolize Christ -- the light of the world who shines in darkness and the darkness comprehends it not? (see John 1:5) What better place to put Him than at the center of a circle? Jesus Christ is the central figure at the heart of all truth, eternity, and everlasting life!

As we had our family prayer this morning, we thanked our Heavenly Father for sending His Son, and for sending us this wonder to remind us that He is always there, always encircling us, protecting us, and giving us truth and eternal life.

So, I issue you the same challenge I issued my children. Whenever you see a wonder, look for Christ. He's always there.

Comments

[Karin]

Must have been a really amazing sight!

[Leanne]

I didn't get to see the moon ring, but I did notice the magnificent sunrise this morning. It is always a spiritual gift to me when I see those beautiful colors making their way across the sky. Thank you for sharing this with me today, Marnie. It touched me and brought tears to my eyes.

[Peter]

I agree about the Moon ring. The eternity of a circle is an ancient symbol. Lest we forget the most important circle of life -
Revelations 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
A circle: No beginning and no end.

[polly]

a wonderful article, marnie. what better way to give your children a glimpse of the eternal perspective and essence of our being here. i know from experience, these teaching moments through natural happenings create lasting memories within our little ones. my 40 and 36 year olds still thank us for bringing nature-inspired and spiritual moments together when they were children.

[Nan Hancock]

Hi Marnie,
Thanks for sharing. Reminds me of a time I was taking my son to early morning driver's ed. It was winter. There was a sparkling frost over everything and at the steetlights, the light seemed to extend forever up through the light fog. It was beautiful. Makes living thru winter worth it. And isn't it interesting that early morning is usually when nature is the prettiest.

[Marnie Pehrson]

Thanks so much everyone for your kind comments! Keep looking up! :)

- Marnie