God created the eclipse
We know by reading Genesis chapter one that God created the earth, the sun, and the moon. He created the universe and all that exists therein. Therefore God created the eclipse. The Bible says in John 1:3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” All means everything. Everything includes the eclipse that he allowed us to behold today.
If you ask me, only a loving, all knowing Creator could ever make something so magnificently beautiful for us to enjoy. Watching God’s great creation is one way I feel his never dying love for me every day. The birds fluttering, baby bunnies hopping across a field early in the morning, and squirrels waiting for a child to throw them a nut. These are all little beauties that God allows us to enjoy, because he loves us.
Psalm 8:3&4 say, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou are mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” What a humbling thought this is. God is good to us indeed.
Our day in preparation
Our day in preparation of the big event of the year was busy. At first we just kind of went about as normal. As we discussed all of the things we needed, or rather wanted to do today we figured out that sitting around talking about it was not going to be a good plan of action. We needed to eat and get out the door. The more Aaron did though the more he realized that he did not feel well. So, much to my dismay I loaded up a few kids and went on my way without him. Any time he has off work we try to spend as much of it as possible together. I am always disappointed when that doesn’t happen. I usually try not to show it though, it’s not fair to him for me to make him feel worse about it. The kids and I had a great time even though he wasn’t there.
Our first order of business was to find some eclipse viewing glasses. As we were talking about our plans for the day we realized that we hadn’t taken the time to get any yet. Aaron had heard that there was someone selling them in town. There was not. So, we headed to the Meijer. They were sold out. At that point I told the older kids who were with me to help me call around. Just as I was about to give up I got a yes. There was one place out of at least 20 that we called who had them. They had a ton of them.
After spending so much time driving, and calling, then driving some more, we had to get home. As we were driving the long stretch of highway from where we ended up to where we live, I noticed that we had only 6mi to empty, but were 9.6mi from home. I exited the highway, got gas, then homeward bound we were.
So thankful
I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to notice the gas gauge when I did, and that he helped us find the glasses we needed to safely view the eclipse. I am also thankful that my dad and Noah were here when we got home, and that we made it back in time for the beginning of the eclipse. Another thing I am grateful for is that the glasses we found were free. I gave a donation, but it was pretty cool that they were giving them away. Among the things I am thankful for a beautiful, warm, clear day is probably at the top of the list.
We had originally thought that we would make some pinhole projectors, but someone forgot to actually do it. That would’ve saved a lot of last minute running around. In my defense, though, I have had a lot going on. After all I did move one week ago, and already have my entire house unpacked, and put away. I am not trying to make excuses, but I am very happy to have all of the unpacking done. We were also able to bless another family with all of the boxes from our move. They had told me that they were afraid they were going to have to buy boxes. They are moving across the country and were not sure how they would pull off having to buy boxes. I am very glad to have been a blessing to them.
The amazing beauty of the total eclipse blew me away
We made it home in just enough time that the eclipse started about 15 minutes later. We got to view it from start to finish with all of our kids and my dad. I thought I had a picture of us all sitting in the front yard together, but, like my camera, it seems to have disappeared. The amazing beauty of the total eclipse blew me away. At the moment of totality I looked around me, and the sky around the sun was dark as night, but in the distance it was so beautiful. There was a gorgeous sunset in the sky across the horizon even though the sun was still high in the sky. It was so neat to behold. The eclipse itself was amazing, but the sky added to it’s beauty. One of these days I will get my act together enough to have more pictures. Pictures can not do this justice even if I did have all of them.
In the moments leading up to totality we noticed the birds acting crazy. They were frantically trying to get to their nests. You could tell they were thinking, “Why is the sun going away so early?”
The reality of just how bright the sun truly is left us all in amazement. Even at this point below the sky was still shining bright. All the way up to totality the sun was still lighting the sky as the morning sun peeking up over the horizon. The moment the moon began to move and reveal the sun’s light once more, it was as if it were completely uncovered already. The birds resumed their hunting, foraging, and singing. the squirrels came back out, and the street lights went back off.
Are you ready?
To say that this was the most amazing event I have ever witnessed in the sky would be an understatement. I am positive though that it will pale in comparison to the return of the Lord in the clouds. Are you ready for that day? I know I am. If you have any doubts get them settled today. Trust me it will be the most important thing you ever do for your eternity.
Someone thought Simon was my grandson
After the eclipse was over we went on about our day, finishing up the things we wanted to do before the long trip to find the glasses. At one of the places that Grace and I wanted to explore I struck up a conversation with a lady about a purse. My daughter’s friend then informed me that I had the taste of an old lady. The woman I was talking to happened to be an actual old lady. That got us into a conversation about how many children I have, and the fact that everyone says I act like an old lady.
This friend of Grace’s happened to be holding Simon at the time so the lady asked me a question that truly made me feel like an old lady. “Is this your grandson?” This is what she asked me. I could not believe that she thought my baby was my grandson. After later reflection I believe that she did not ask that question because I appeared to be an older lady, but simply because in today’s society we have an overwhelming number of teen parents. I am sure that from where she was standing it was completely plausible for him to be hers, not mine.
Other people can not know how you are raising your children from a one minute conversation about a purse, and how it makes them think of you as an old lady. That conversation makes me that much more grateful that my children are being raise up for the Lord, and they live it.
The rest of the day
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. More driving, more money spent, and a lot of reflection on the goodness of God toward we who are so unworthy. God gave us the perfect day to view another of his amazing creations. The weather was perfect. The breeze was refreshing, and the sky was clear and beautiful. Yes we serve a magnificent, gracious God indeed.
