Article by Norma Beaird
Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird
Yesterday, we were driving to the county dumpster to take our garbage (sounds more sophisticated than trash), and on the way to the dumpster, we saw the most beautiful rainbow over a cow pasture. It was a magnificent reminder of the promises of God.
It has been constantly raining for close to two months now. As we looked at the rainbow, I was overwhelmed with the thought that sometimes, along the dimly lit path of life, in the midst of storms, God will send us a reminder of His promises. Even on the way to do something that is not necessarily fun or pleasurable (such as going to a dumpster), God will, in a subtle way, let us know He's near.
We don't always see the rainbows during good times. We don't always see the rainbows when money is flowing freely or we are healthy as a horse. We don't always see the rainbows when the boss gives us a promotion or the business makes a profit. When things are going great, we sometimes miss the rainbows.
But sometimes, in the midst of a cloud of discouragement or a flood of despair, God will show us a rainbow. Why the rainbow? The rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to Noah, that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. Today, the rainbow continues to be a symbol of God's promises.
As we were on the way to the dumpster, we saw the tractor in the above photo that was sitting deserted in a South Georgia field. It was covered in Kudzu vine.
Sometimes in life, we feel deserted, lonely, despondent and sad. We may feel like that old tractor, alone and covered up in the problems of life. However, when we meditate upon the promises of God, we remember the rainbow.
Noah had to endure forty days and forty nights of rain. Even though he was in the safety of an ark with him family and animals, he saw complete destruction of the inhabitants of the earth through an epic flood. In the end, God gave Noah a promise, signified by a mesmerizing and multi-hued rainbow that we still see today after a downpour of rain or frightening thunderstorm.
Genesis 9:16 - And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
Life's journey is not always easy, but God will never desert us.
During the storm, He gives us peace.
After the storm, He sends a rainbow.
Looking at rainbows and talking about rainbows made me think of this great country song by legendary Country Music singer Merle Haggard:
Copyright 2013, Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
