Eclipse-mania has been especially high in my hometown for the past week or so. The climax came when people not only from all over the country, but all over the world, visited my small town of about 39,000 to enjoy 4 minutes of 100% totality.

My hostess, other guests, and I enjoyed a delightful lunch and then headed outside to relax in our lawn chairs and watch the eclipse. We chatted quietly, heads tilted back and cardboard-framed eclipse glasses firmly in place, as we waited.

The moon inched its way across the face of the sun until the brighter orb was completely eclipsed for just over four minutes.

I was moved to tears by the beauty of the event, by its testimony to the one God who created the heavens and the earth and is sovereign over all.

At the same time, I couldn’t help but think of how a circumstance in my life has slowly, insidiously grown in significance to the point that it often overshadows and sometimes even completely blocks any feelings of joy and of peace.

On Monday, the moon continued slowly on its path and the sun eventually shone in all its glory again.

Perhaps the same will happen in my own life, and the circumstance will be resolved.

In the meantime, though, I pray and listen for that still small Voice to teach me and comfort me.