Confession. Your DoAhead friend is running behind. Prom is behind us but High School graduation is a mere two weeks away. Our firstborn will officially be leaving the nest. Some moments I’m bawling. Other moments I have a glazed look in my eye as I ponder a to-do list the size of biblical proportions. So if I may, I’m going to share a story I posted on my “old blog” a couple of years ago. My mind has gone back to it several times in the past few days. Funny how life repeats itself.
Double Rainbow
Growing up, May was the month for eager dissemination of May baskets, joy at the thought of school ending and boundless anticipation for the emancipation summer would bring.
May now seems like mayhem!
This year seemed to take the cake. It wasn’t any one thing. No, the enemy was far more subtle. It was a litany of “little things” that pricked, poked and prodded. It seemed the enemy was determined to siphon every ounce of joy I normally carry for this precious month. Indulge me as I share a few of the challenges:
- Layer upon layer of year-end school activity resulted in major sleep deprivation for the entire household (never a good idea!)
- Parking lot collision.
- Major tooth ache=root canal.
- South Dakota wind blew a car door in my face—–nose bruised,glasses broken.
- Personal contacts accidentally deleted from phone.
- Arched base of a rocking chair being loaded in the truck slips——truck window is spared, my face and glasses (again) are not!
- Computer is ill. A person could bake 6 dozen cookies in the time it takes the search engine to gather information.
You get the drift. All in all the month seemed ugly…until. My beloved asked if I wanted a date to the hardware store (with 3 teenagers we take our dates whenever and wherever we can!)
A subtle thunderstorm had graced the skies earlier. We jumped in the truck for our romantic interlude when suddenly Jeff pulled over and exclaimed, “Babe, get your camera. It’s a double rainbow!”
It was incredible. I’ve never seen a double rainbow so expansive or bright. Jeff and I sat in awe. In those precious moments the Holy Spirit whispered, “Hunny, you almost missed this. You’ve been running at break neck speed. If you’ll pause for a moment I guarantee you’ll gain a different perspective.”
As I sat there I began to recall the many challenges May had ushered in. Only this time I was also able to see God’s phenomenal presence through it all. I whispered a prayer of repentance for being so caught up in all the prods and pokes that I couldn’t even see the provision!
Particles of light were not the only thing reflected that day. Grace, mercy and new beginnings were reflected too!
“ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Your DoAhead Friend,
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