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Choice Blends: Rainbow Messages

Choice offerings of Inspirational Devotions, Poems, Prayers, Slice-of-Life, Thoughts and Musings from Christian authors and writers, posted Mon-Fri each week for your  enjoyment. Rainbow Messages By Paula Moldenhauer © My nine-year old burst through the front door. “Did you see? There’re two rainbows outside.†The family rushed to the window. I trailed behind, caught up in my glum mood. “Hurry, Mom!†My seven-year old pleaded. “You gotta see this!†I caught my breath as I joined them at the window. The perfect rainbow arched right in front of our home. Its colors were so rich, it looked surreal, like something from a children’s Bible storybook instead of honest to goodness reality. A tug in my heart told me to hope. Told me God gave me the rainbow to remind me of His promises. Like the grumpy woman I was that day, I rejected the happy thought, reasoning with the left side of my brain that science has shown us how and why rainbows were made and that the rainbow was, at that very moment, delighting more than my little household. It wasn’t a promise to me that everything would be okay. Instead of reveling in the wonder of its timing, beauty, placement and perfection, I recited the colors of ROY G. BIV. Now, even people who’ve never read the Genesis account of Noah know the rainbow is a symbol of hope and promise. Whether or not God painted that rainbow just for me is something easily argued either way. And it isn’t the point. The point is the Holy Spirit wanted to whisper hope into my heart as I gazed upon its wonder. I could have let its magnificence lift my heart in praise to God. I could have allowed it to remind me of the promise of His love and care that Scripture tells me is always there. But, that afternoon I didn’t want to feel hopeful. It would mean choosing faith over whining, and, quite frankly, I felt like complaining. I shut my heart and turned from the glorious rainbow. Oh, outwardly I tried not to dampen the enthusiasm of my children. I said the right things. Smiled an outside smile. Then, willfully closed my heart to the gentle reminder of the Holy Spirit that God’s promises were worth holding onto. What a waste of an incredible moment. I could have rushed down my stairs, flung open the front door (and my heart) and ran onto the lawn, my arms spread wide, embracing the promises of the Creator. I could have twirled in the street underneath the brilliant arch and laughed in joyful acceptance of His encouragement. The Lord must have grinned a little at my stubbornness as He shook His head. Or, maybe He sighed, wondering how I could treat His gift with such casual dismissal. I’m not sure how He felt, but I know He is not petty as I am. He didn’t hold it against me and He was big enough to handle my mood. He simply waited for another opportunity to minister to my heart, meeting me later in the night wind.  I wonder how many other opportunities I missed that day I spent snarling at Him instead of receiving His care. Father, teach us to embrace the moments of hope that You so freely give us. ~*~*~*~ Paula is a home schooling mother of four. She says “I’m daily in a whirlwind of activities—from teaching factorization to being chauffeur, cook, arbitrator, and lover. My family is consuming—but often I slip off to my computer and my Best Friend and I create. I love flowers, children, peppermint ice cream, good books, classical music, Henry Weinhard root beer, paintings from the impressionism period, gurgling streams, and chocolate covered cherries. Writing is an increasingly important part of my life. For links to books I'm published in or to my work that's been published on line, see Paula Pens. I also have sold articles and devotionals to several print magazines. Among my fondest dreams is the hope that one of the novels I've written will soon be published.†Contact Paula at her Website. ~*~*~*~ Thanks for stopping in at the Sips 'n Cups Cafe. How may we serve you?