Rainbows

When was the last time you experienced the aw of a rainbow?  On my last visit with my mother-in-law it had been raining.  She was weak from the chemo and most of her hair was gone.  The color of her skin had a translucent sheen.  As we sat in the kitchen, one of us noticed a beautiful rainbow forming.  My sister-in-law, mother-in-law and I gathered around the large picture window and just stood together, speechless at it's beauty.   It was the most vibrant rainbow I had ever seen.  The rainbow arched up behind the barn over the lake and into the woods.  We savored that moment, knowing that God was in control in the middle of the storm. 

At this point, I would like to be able to write about a miraculous recovery, we prayed, we believed, but the storm was in God's hands.   It was the last visit I had with my mother-in-law, my next trip to Ohio would be for her funeral. And while we mourned her loss we have great peace knowing she is with our heavenly father.  I imagine her looking out at God's indescribable beauty in heaven, speechless, healthy and enjoying the beauty of it all. 

I don't understand storms, I appreciate the beauty of a rainbow, and in truth I love the sunshine.  As I write this blog it is raining and gloomy outside, but weather changes and the sun will shine.  However, today, I'm going to find an umbrella and simply enjoy walking in the rain, keeping my eyes prepared for a rainbow.

In Genesis 9 the rainbow is a sign given from God to confirm a promise. I thank the Lord for his many promises  

More Crazy Love

As I was reading my Crazy Love book I was struck by a sentence on page  60.  "So why, when we constantly offend Him and are so unlovable and unloving does God persist in loving us? "   I spent the afternoon on Monday at the hospital.  A dear girl, that I know loves God, made some poor decisions.  A mixture of alcohol and drugs was still working their way from her system, the consequences of this action are greatly affecting her immediate and long term life plans.  However, I still see a loving God, protecting and pursing His child. As I work to remind her of this immense love, I recognize the undeserved love I also receive, and poorly reciprocate.  I may not be making the huge self destructive mistakes of this young girl, but my attention at times to my spiritual life is almost an afterthought.  It made me think,  Am I offending God?  I probably put more time and effort into my earthly relationships, making sure I don't offend those around me, but I never thought about offending God.  And yet I feel his love and His pursuit of me, I am so grateful for this Crazy Love that God has for me!