Pink Moons and Flowers

We had a larger than normal full moon this month. At least it appeared that way as the moon orbited close to the earth. Most of the full moons have names given long ago to help keep track of the season, a visual reminder of a period of time. This one has been named the Pink Moon, but it does not appear pink unlike the Blood Moon, which actually has a blood red hue. The name refers to a time in April when the moss phlox or mountain phlox blooms and is one of the earliest spring flowers appearing in the United States.

Somewhere, pink flowers bloom in late April and someone was inspired to name the moon accordingly. The beauty of the moon and flowers coalesced, and a period was given a name. It became the time of the Pink Moon.

What comes together to create a time worthy of a name? Memories gathered — the good, bad, and even mundane — come together and we name it the time of, or that time in our life. Many are good times, some are not, some are life-changing times, some wanted, some fearful in nature and filled with tragedy. In the book The Shack by William P. Young, the narrator describes the murder of his daughter as the time of “the great sadness.” How terribly perfect is that phrase, “the great sadness.” In the 23rd Psalm, we read about going through the “valley of the shadow of death.” It is not death itself, but the fear and hurt death brings to our lives. A shadow on our heart that needs the assurance that our Lord loves and walks with us, even on the journeys we never wanted to take, named by the shadows they cast.

The 23rd Psalm is one of the most comforting and assuring writings in the Bible. Join us this Sunday as we delve into the psalm and find God’s comfort and abundance.

May the Grace and Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rick