We just experienced the phenomenon of the super blue moon the end of January. The January 31 full moon was the third in a series of three straight full moon super moons (super-close full moons). It was the first of two Blue Moons in 2018 and a total lunar eclipse. The next month with two full moons is March.
We were privileged to see a bright full moon. Sometimes we see a full moon but at other times we see a half moon or a crescent moon. Yet we know that the full moon is there even though we don’t always see it.
Matt and Beth Redman use this illustration of the moon in their little book “Finding God in the Hard Times” (p. 33). “At times, painful life circumstances seem to obstruct our view of God and His goodness. But we have seen the form of the Lord many times before – in life and in Scripture – and we know Him to be good and as kind as He ever was.”
When life gets tough our circumstances my cloud our memory of what’s God has done for us. It’s in those times I have found it helpful to do something to help me remember God’s goodness in my life. Through journaling I can look back and see how God has answered my prayers or has blessed me. It’s there in black and white for me to remember that God has not abandoned me and has come through for me in the past. (Psalm 9:1; 77:11; 143:5)
When we tell other people how God has answered prayer, blessed us or strengthened us in difficult times we can be an encouragement to others. They too can put their trust in God (Psalm 78:1-8; Deuteronomy 4:9). It reminds us that God is there for us even though we may not always see or feel Him.
Memorials or family traditions help us remember what God has done for us in the past. We had a family tradition at Christmas where we wrote on a white table cloth year after year with puff paint. Each person wrote or drew something significant from the year. When the kids were little it may have only been an outline of their hand. It was fun to see the blessings, growth and changes over the years.
Simple scriptures written on cards or pictures from significant events are good reminders. I have a friend who develops cards like this one at Avenue17Design.com
What are some things you do to help your remember God’s goodness?
Once again I’ll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonder; I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts. Psalm 77:11 MSG
On the journey,
Trish