What gives me the most hope every day is God’s grace; knowing that his grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God. ~Rick Warren
Things happen in every person’s life that are hard to understand and hard to accept. Death doesn’t always come at the end of a long life, but sometimes jumps in and grabs a person in what seems to us to be the prime of life. Accidents do that all the time, stealing young people from us. Cancer does it too. And other illnesses.
Our family has been slammed with two of those sudden deaths of much loved family members we thought would have many more years with us. Both were in their forties. One passed after a massive heart attack in April. The other from complications after fighting off ovarian cancer. She did the chemo. We hoped she was in remission. When she found out the cancer had returned, we were still hopeful new treatments would give her more time, but then she died suddenly before those treatments could start. Both Shawn and Julie were much loved. Both had families that are distraught at their passing. Both loved to laugh and tell stories on themselves. They were so fun to be around and so we know heaven is a happier place now. But sadness makes our hearts heavy. And yet we can look toward the future with hope. Always hope.
I place no hope in my strength, nor in my works: but all my confidence is in God my protector, who never abandons those who have put all their hope and thought in him. ~Francois Rabelais
That’s why sometimes we need a rainbow to remind us of the Lord’s hope.
God’s mercy and grace give me hope – for myself, and for our world. ~Billy Graham
Giveaway
I’m still giving away one of my books (winner’s choice) each week for three more weeks. The first winner is Melissa. I’ll be getting in touch with her via e-mail. Now I know this wasn’t an upbeat post, but it was what was on my heart and what I felt when I saw the rainbow late yesterday evening. So tell me do you stop to look for a rainbow at the end of a storms? Any comment will get your name in a drawing for a book. I’ll draw a new winner next Sunday. I always enjoy seeing your comments.
As always, thanks for reading.
Comments 23
We must be kindred hearts. You write of lilacs, talk of butterflies and rainbows. I also have a rainbow story. I just shared with you about my butterfly story, but I also have a rainbow story. When our daughter died, our son was in the car with her. He survived the crash and was flown to the children’s hospital over 100 miles away. We rushed to his side, but had to leave our daughter behind in the care of others. We were so torn, so crushed, unbelievable inconsolable. While at the hospital, we knew that a picture hung on the walls that our daughter had painted years previous. We had never seen it. She won a contest at school that the hospital had sponsored, and they chose her rainbow picture, along with other children’s drawings to bring comfort to patients and family while their loved ones were in the hospital. The nurse took us to see our daughter’s little masterpiece hanging on the wall. When our son was released from the hospital, the staff had a copy made of her rainbow picture for us to treasure for always. “Love changes rain into rainbows” was written in her precious writing across the top of her rainbow. That is our favorite saying now. Another tender mercy from heaven. I wish I could attach a picture to show you.
Author
Another sad and yet beautiful story, Roberta. What a treasure for you to have at that time. May the Lord continue to find ways to comfort your heart for I know some sorrows never go away. I haven’t had to face the tragedy of losing a child, but we have lost a brother, sister-in-law and nephew to car crashes. So very sad.
I’m so sorry for your losses…Yes I always stop to enjoy the rainbows.I always think of Gods promise.
Author
Thank you, Lisa, for your condolences. And it is good to think of the Lord’s promises when we see a rainbow.
The grandkids always shout if a rainbow is in sight. Great opportunity to share God’s promise and His awesome power. Thanks for blog Ann. Heart goes out to all those who suffer looses.
Author
Thank you, Elaine. Yes, it’s good to share God’s hope with our children and nature can give up so many opportunities for that. Of course the rainbow opens the door to a great Bible story.
Your blog entry was a Rainbow for me tonight. I don’t go looking for rainbows after the storm, but I am always filled with peace when I happen to be out and see one, actually saw a double one in Hawaii. But your blog was like seeing a rainbow, when I read your words of hope. God used you to be my rainbow and I thank you.
Author
That’s such a nice comment to read, Julie, after a long afternoon at the funeral home. Thank you so much. And you are so right that we can find rainbows of hope in many places. Some that can be a surprise, but so welcome.
No Ann, I do not look for rainbows after a storm. Here in Arkansas sometimes
the storms brings damage with high winds and lots of rain that may cause some trees to lose its hold in the ground and fall; sometimes these falling trees may cause a lot of damage based on where the tree lands. So after a storm, I would
be looking for fallen trees and down lines. Damages control!
Author
That sounds like a very practical view, Pat. Best consider safety first. I’m sure most of us would be looking at the damage the storm wrought if we saw trees down, but the rainbow could still be a promise to us that whatever happens, the Lord is there with us.
Hi Ann. I have a limited view of the sky from my home, but I search the sky for as many beautiful sites as I can see. Hubby & I even go out on the deck to look at the moon and stars with wonder, but I always seem to miss the rainbows. I see them on my friends facebook pictures and I know that God is still at peace with the world. I am sorry for your losses. We had two cancer scares this year, one was my niece and the other was my daughter, and hopefully they are healed and can live out their life, but none of us know when God will call us.
Author
Praying that your daughter and your niece will defeat cancer and live for many more years, Carol.
You are right that you need a view of the sky to see those rainbows. Maybe that’s true of the rainbows we seek in life too. We need to be able to see more of the picture to be able to capture the hope for the days to come. But we can all enjoy the moon and stars. I get to enjoy the night sky when I go out with my dog, Oscar, at night. Always a blessing to see the sky.
Yes, when I am out I look for the rainbow after the storm.
Author
Seeing rainbows can be a blessing to our spirits, Linda.
Rainbows show a promise from God. The most significant promise is the gift of our Savior that He traded His life for ours. If we accept His gift, we are His. Blessed Hope. My prayer is that all would recognize this whenever they see a rainbow. Revelation tells us that God’s throne will shine like a rainbow. Something to look forward to! And He can comfort us in this life also.
Author
Thanks for your comment, Paula. Rainbows can make us remember the Lord and the promises we can find in the Scripture. I appreciate how well you reminded us of that.
We always have to look for those rainbows or the storms could keep us down and sad. Ann, I am so sorry for the losses in your family. It is so reassuring to know that we have the hope of seeing those who have gone on before us when our walk on this earth is over.
Author
Thank you for your good thoughts, Melanie. I think you’re right about how the rainbows we look for and find in our lives can keep hope and joy alive in our hearts even in the worst of times. We can look forward to a great reunion someday.
I love rainbows too. Whenever I see a new photo of a rainbow, I save it to a folder on my cpu. Betsy Fusy’s comment could nearly have been written by us. Our 45-yr-old daughter, Lisa, also died of complications of diabetes in 2006 and was married with two teenage sons. Uncanny similarities. You have our sympathy, Betsy. And thank you, Ann for the lovely post.
Author
I’m so sorry for the loss of your daughter, Doris. I’m sure you still miss her each and every day. May your memories be a sweet comfort to you the same as my niece’s family will be comforted by the many wonderful times they shared with her.
I hope you will get to add many more beautiful rainbow pictures to your rainbow folder. I suppose that might make a good Pinterest board.
Thank you Doris! Our similarities are very uncanny!! I wish we could talk over a cup of tea. I’m sure you have had to rely on the Lord these past 10 years! May God continue to bring you comfort & use you for His Glory!!! In His Grip! Betsy
Yes, I love to see rainbows after storms. They always make me smile & remind me of God’s promises! Eighteen months ago, we lost our 41 yr old daughter to complications from diabetes which had been part of her life for 33+ yrs! We continue to miss her but are so thankful that God gave her a very full life; she was a wife & mother to 2 teenage boys! Her dad & I are grateful that God continues to fulfill His promises & we look forward to seeing Lisa when He calls us Home!
Author
I’m so sorry for your loss, Betsy. You have such a wonderful perspective on your loss with your thankfulness for her life although I’m sure you would have liked to be with her longer here on earth. My niece has a full and wonderful life too with family that she treasured. She had two little grandkids she adored. So while we are sad, like you, we can also be thankful for the beautiful person Julie was and that we experienced her love.