April 8th- Shadow and Light

Today is the eclipse of 2024, and as I wait for the full effects of the moon passing in front of the sun, watching the subtle shifts in light and color from the deck in my backyard, I’m thinking of how we are small. Smaller than small. How we are beings created for something beyond today and beyond this earth that we walk on each day of our lives.

Our struggles, fears, attachments and triumphs in life are all leading us to a place of better understanding of ourselves. And toward a God who holds us with all of our frailties and imperfections, in the palm of his hand. The sun and moon follow his direction and our universe expands at his command. The path of totality today is said to create a giant cross when joined with the path of the eclipse of 2017. What does it mean? Is it a sign? I have no idea, but what I do know is that I can’t discount information about movement outside of the bounds of earth anymore than the Ancients did . In all of our sophistication in 2024, what is outside of our control remains. Just as they watched the skies for order and guidance as chaos unfolded on earth, we do the same today. Signs from the Heavens are still speaking . God still speaks in mysterious ways, both to the universe and to us personally.

My hope is through the constant chatter we are all accustomed to, we are able to grasp the enormity , wonder and mystery that is all around . That as we quiet ourselves, we are able to see our lives in the context of something bigger, and that we grasp the beauty of the unfolding of our stories- not only the light chapters, but the pages of shadow- gently reminding us that we are learning about something bigger and we have a Creator who will walk beside us through the paths of totality that we all face and bring us back into the light.

With Love and Gratitude- Gretchen