There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.  -George Carlin

The moon has been captivating the past couple of nights. There’s something so inspiring and thought-provoking about a big, bright moon.  I love the night shadows that a full moon casts. I love the mystery.

But most of all I am enamored by the thought that anyone who has ever lived, and has had the ability to see, has gazed upon the moon. The same moon that you and I gaze at.

The moon is one of the things that we all have in common. Of course,  no one owns the moon or can claim it, but nearly everyone who has ever lived has most likely looked up into the night sky to gaze upon the moon.

Think of some of the historical figures that you admire, or fascinate you. They’ve gazed at that same moon that you gaze at now. For me, it’s amazing to think of Jesus, or Abraham, even Adam and Eve, viewing the same moon that I do tonight.

Victims of concentration camps have peered through narrow windows up into the night sky, gazing at the moon and remembering what freedom feels like.

Nomadic people have slept out under the night sky, lit by the vibrancy of the moon for thousands of years.

Those in captivity have escaped to freedom by the light of the moon. Harriet Tubman risked her life to help free over 300 slaves by traveling at night and relying on the light of the moon to help guide the way.

A quiet, unassuming moon shines brightly over the craziness of a city, offering peace and perspective to those who will only take a moment to ponder its beauty.

A full moon, in particular, beckons us at regular intervals to look up and take a momentary break from our preoccupied, busy lives to remind us that we are part of something larger than we can even imagine.

Many have considered the bigger life questions of meaning, purpose, beauty and of God by the light of the moon.

I could go on, but these are some of the things that I think about when I look up into the sky at the wonder of the moon.  I am completely awestruck. Or maybe  I’m moonstruck.

Why do I even mention this?  Because it’s important to find those elements of the natural world that speak to us, that connects us to greater realities and truths than just the here and now.  Nature helps to keep all things in perspective.  In addition, plenty of studies and research have shown the benefits to humans of spending time in nature.  Nature is restorative.

It’s as simple as walking out your door on a dark night and looking up to see the moon, or to watch the clouds drift through the sky during the day, or to watch the wind blow through the tops of trees.

So Much Beauty. So Much Restoration Available To Us.

We are surrounded by it if we will just stop a moment, notice, and take it in.