Just this week as I walked around our circle early in the morning, I was surprised to hear thunder, since there was no rain in the forecast. Then as I picked up my pace, having reached the other side of the circle, I happened to look up and noticed a rainbow in the sky—the first one I had seen in our neighborhood since we had moved here permanently, about a year and a half ago. In fact, over this spring and summer I had been regularly checking the sky in all directions after the many showers and storms that had kept our grass, our trees and flowers well-watered—hoping to catch a sight of my first rainbow—but all to no avail. Then, just when I least expected it, God granted me my first encounter with one of these gorgeous spans of sparkling color that thrill me so. I was tempted to run back to our house, grab my camera and do my best to get a picture, but this particular rainbow was clearly ephemeral, threatening to disappear any moment; so I decided to just relax and enjoy the view as I continued my walk. I did get two good looks since the beautiful colors continued to shimmer above me for my first two rounds of the circle. What an encouraging way to start out a Monday morning, just as my week was beginning. I felt as if God had chuckled a bit as He gently spoke into my heart another dose of assurance that in spite of the weirdness unsettling almost every normal pursuit these days; He is very much present, involved in mine and every life, and as always, loving, truly loving each one of us, particularly and individually; yet drawing us together to glorify Him as we love and learn to obediently serve Him and each other.

If I Had Never Thrilled . . .

If I had never thrilled to the marvelously brightly painted wings fluttering along upon the wind
of a stunning butterfly;
if I had never wondered at the awesome majestic sight
of a rainbow luminous in a clean
blue sky moments after a summer storm;
if I had never marveled as the waters roared while they rushed over a precipice into a sparkling, whirling, dancing, tumultuous spring;
if I had never looked into a new-born baby’s sweet and peaceful sleeping face in the arms
of a loving awe-stricken mother;
if I had never watched a husband and his wife sacrifice to find their joy in worshiping God
as they raised their children trusting in the Lord;
if I had never seen the most wondrous miracle
of them all, the redeeming transformation
of a life resurrected, reborn in Christ;
if I had never seen any of these glorious works of His grace,
I might have some cause to pause and wonder
if there is a loving Father, our God who cares for each of us; . . .
but of course, I’ve seen these incredible marvels and many more,
and so, I count it all joy to praise His holy, mighty, loving Name
who is my one and only Creator, my very own Heavenly Father.

M.S.
July 18, 2020

And God saw everything that he had made,
and behold, It was very good.
And there was evening
and there was morning,
the sixth day.

Genesis 1:31