Goodnight Moon

I was never the sharpest pencil in the box when it came to astronomy and physical sciences.  However, I think I remember what causes a full moon.  It occurs when the moon is on the opposite end of the earth from the sun.  The part of the moon closest to us is lit by the sun making it brighter.  And that's about as far as I go.

According to the Science World Report a full moon occurs every 29 1/2 days.  The full moon for this week (8/20) is also called a Blue Moon and we aren't supposed to see another one until 2015.

There are many myths and wives' tales surrounding full moons.  Some say births increase at local hospitals and others say admissions to mental health hospitals is higher during a full moon.  Others point to insomnia, record fishing hauls and even an increase in reports of dog bites.  However, research and studies on unusual behavior during full moons is inconclusive and attributed more to legend and tradition than hard facts.  I'm not so sure, but my take isn't backed up by empirical evidence.  My wife worked 3rd shift in a psych hospital many years ago and I remember how much she dreaded going in during a full moon because either admissions were always up, or the patient incidents increased. I'm just saying.

The psalmist was fascinated by creation and revered God's creative work, including the moon.  Psalm 8 celebrates the moon in creation:

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 
what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (8:3-4)

Later, the psalmists declares that his regard and fear of the Lord will continue as long as the sun and moon burn!  Only God knows how long the sun and the moon will glow, but every time we see them we are reminded that God is behind them.  Genesis tells us that upon creating them he was pleased and declared them good.

I don't know about all the legends, myths and traditions in regard to the moon, but I know every time I see it, I'm reminded how small I am and how big God is.  And that is a great perspective for flawed people often tempted by pride that can make us think we are as big as God.   He is, I'm not.  A simple, but frequently disregarded truth.

In the words of Margaret Wise Brown, "Goodnight moon."