Surprise!

Don't you just love it when you get a surprise from God?

After reading about the largest appearing moon in years or for years to come, Bob and I decided to find a spot and watch this much heralded moon as it appeared on the horizon.

We were like children! We were all excited to go look at the moon... and on a weeknight even! Sad to say it doesn't take much to give us a good time. We bought a coffee and began our search for the perfect spot. With 30 minutes to spare we parked our van in a large parking lot and started our wait. Well, after looking around we decided there were too many buildings so we drove to our second choice. This place was still a parking lot but on a higher elevation. Ah, the coffee was still hot and we had our place saved 'cause you know there were going to be thousands out looking at this large moon! But once again we decided this couldn't possibly be the best place.

My wonderful Bob drove us across town and up to Missionary Ridge because he realized he knew the perfect spot to see this moon. We had 10 minutes and we were going to make it. Now, we were on a mission.

Well, the place Bob knew closed at dark! Not wanting to get arrested for loitering in a park we drove along Missionary Ridge. As we drove across the bridge that crosses Interstate 24 there were two lone photographers standing with their cameras poised toward the horizon for this never-to-be-forgotten moon. We looked at each other and knew this was our spot too! The only problem was we had to park and walk uphill. I know that doesn't sound too awfully strenuous unless you have Bob's knee or my back; both of which were acting up this night. But, hey the coffee was cooling off and this size of moon wouldn't appear again for years and years!

We started off at a leisurely stroll toward the bridge which appeared to be 6000 feet in the air! Bob is such a trooper! He made it about one-third of the way onto the bridge and planted himself. That was it. He was done. Wherever the moon was going to rise, he would see it from that spot. Not me... I was on a mission. I wanted to take pictures of this beautiful moon as it broke the horizon.

Did I tell you we were on a bridge? Did I tell you that this bridge crosses an Interstate? Okay... visualize me walking like I'm on a tightrope! This is a two-lane bridge, with sidewalks on both sides with concrete sides and an iron top rail about waist high. I kept feeling like I was going to fall!! It was a warm evening with a slight breeze and hundreds of cars zooming underneath me. I kept wondering what those two lone photographers would think if they saw me approaching on my hands and knees!!

I finally made it to the middle. By this time two women, much older than me had passed me and were standing there so I joined them. As I look back to wave, there was a young father with his daughter and a baby in a carrier had joined Bob. Now there are seven adults on this bridge to watch this amazing moon as it breaks the horizon. The only problem was there were clouds on the horizon and no moon in sight!!

But wait! That wasn't what we were supposed to see! We were supposed to see the sunset. All of our married lives, Bob and I have taken photos of sunrises and sunsets. When we do, it is like God sets up the scene and takes the picture while one of us holds the camera.

Lots of times, we think we are supposed to be doing/seeing/going one place when all along God has another plan for us. You know the thing about it's easier to move a moving object than one that is stationary? It's the same with us! He gets us up and moving and then He shows us/tells us just what we are supposed to see/know. I love it when He does that!! It's always an "a-ha" moment for me.

By the way, after I took the pictures of the beautiful sunset over Lookout Mountain, the clouds parted and we saw the never-to-be-forgotten moon. It wasn't that great! And, the two photographers had the angle wrong! Bob was standing in the perfect spot to see it!

Don't be afraid to move! Take that first step! If you're headed in the wrong direction our God, yes the one who created the universe is perfectly capable of getting you on the path He wants you on.

With love & hugs until next time,
Janet
PS... the photo is the sunset at Lookout Mountain, TN.