Day 056: Pink Moon and Smokey Skies
I looked up and saw a beautiful pink moon hind the distance peeking down from between the trees. Even through the screen of my window, I could see it was such a beautiful color. I’ve never seen a moon like that and knew I’d be adding it to my gratitude journal at the end of the day. As I was driving home from work, several hours later, wondering at the brown skies above me, I realized the pink moon was probably caused by the Canadian wildfires while I was celebrating its beauty, somewhere out there firefighters were fighting to save lives and property.
The whole experience made me realize something I already knew, but am appreciating the greater awareness of tonight. I looked up at that pretty pink moon and delighted in its beauty without realizing the suffering behind it. I’m guessing at that very same moment, somewhere hundreds or even thousands of miles to my north firefighters or property owners also looked at the very same sky, and saw only the cursed smoke that was so thick it could be tasted far far away.
It reminded me that there are always different ways to see a situation. Seeing nothing but pretty pink moons may seem nice but blinds you from danger. Seeing nothing but brown smoke filled skies may help you see the danger, but doesn’t give you the reason to stay in the fight.
Both beauty and reality are needed every day but especially to face our most challenging ones. We need both grace and grit to live our best lives. Grace provides the “why?” in the beauty all around us. Grit provides the courage needed to see beauty in the face of life’s fire storms.
If you are in the midst of the grace, see beauty all around you, laugh joyfully with family and friends, and find peace in a long time treasure those moments. Appreciate them. Be thankful for them. Praise God for them. And know they will not last.
On the other hand, if the smoke is so dense that you cannot see a way out, choose to look up and find pink moons waiting for you in other forms. Steadfastly choose to see this found as a period of profound growth, straighten your spine, put on your game face, and seek companionship of the Holy Ghost, my Mary, or your guardian angel.
Changing your perspective is so difficult, but so worth it and you will emerge more loving when we do so with a godly focus. We know God makes beauty from ashes in this case quite literally.
Jesus I trust in You…
Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for the good times we thank you for the bad times. Thank you for the reminder that when things are good with us, we have to have compassion for those who are suffering. Thank you for the reminder that when we are suffering, we need to be grateful for those who are experiencing joy. We pray for hope that we to may be experiencing that Joy again soon.
We pray in a special Way,, Lord for the Canadian firefighters, and those in harms way, and all those who love them. Please watch over them and protect them and bring them all home safe, faithful, and free. Amen.
God Bless…
Gratitude Journal – June 6, 2023
Thank You Lord for…
- The pink moon
- Waking up early
- Getting my farmers walk in
- Watering the plants
- Knowing the eaten sunflowers are not a reflection on me
- Getting a little ahead on my school year review packets
- S for helping me with the car.
- C, C, C what is amazing kid!!!
- Blue skies tomorrow
- Good health and not many air quality issues.
- Michael Vey series
- A. bringing over strawberries
- Bed