On my way home one early evening, I snapped this picture from my truck. It had just stormed right before I left the store I was in. As the storm was moving east, these two rainbows appeared side by side. It was too beautiful not to take a picture. As I turned west to head home, the skies were clear and a fabulous blue. The sun was shining so wonderfully that it filled me with joy.
So then I started to think about how this parallels with our lives. Our storms hit us head on, full blown wind, rain, lightning, thunder, and hail. When you are in the middle of them, you can't see your hand in front of your face. You think that they will never pass by; it feels they will never end. It's hard to remember that there is a rainbow on the back end of that storm. God gives us these rainbows to remind us of His promise to us that He will never leave us; He will never break the covenant He has with us. Genesis 9:13-16 says, "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever a rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." So when I see rainbows I always think about God's promise to all of us. God sends us a sign in the sky!!! Sit and think about this...He actually sends us a sign that WE ALL CAN SEE!!!
When God shows us that sign and promise, then the blue skies filled with the sun's rays of hope and warmth also represents His promises. Once the storm blindsides us and makes us hunker down for awhile, we rise to see the rainbow that God has set in front of us. I see that blue sky and sun as hope for a future that God has promised me. I see the blue sky and sun the beacon for a new path filled with His love and glory. I know God is there with me through that storm hunkered down with me in the muck and wind. I know that when I'm ready, I am shown the rainbow of His promises. Then and only then, when He knows I am ready to turn my head toward the beautiful sunshine; He sets my feet on the path He has made ready for me. I always go back to one of my favorite verses, "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11NIV
I know it's hard to believe or imagine, but there is sunshine after a terrible storm. There is hope and a future after you have endured for what seems like a long time. God's promises are true, just as the rainbow reminds us every time it blesses us. Hold on for a while longer, your storm will subside and you will see a rainbow and the sun up in the blue skies once again. God promises you this!!
This Tuesday, the 17th, would have been Kirk's 48th birthday. He has been gone for almost 5 years. I haven't written in awhile because I've been struggling with these milestones. I can't believe it's almost been 5 years. Do me a favor and keep Emily and me in your prayers as I will keep all of you in mine. Prayer is the most powerful and caring thing you can do for the people you love and care about. On Tuesday, tell the people in your life how much you love and care for them in remembrance of Kirk. Kirk loved so many people and always was there to help anyone at anytime. Life is short and fleeting and we are never promised our next breath. As with us, one minute you have everything you could have hoped for in this world, and the next minute it's gone. All your future hopes and dreams stolen from you in a blink of an eye. But look up, see your rainbow and know God is there for you!! We hold on every day to that and He has been there every step of our path!!
Happy Birthday in heaven my sweet Kirk. I know you are celebrating in heaven!!! One day we will all celebrate again together!!
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