Saturday, July 31, 2010

Do You Ever See Rainbows?

This is the first rainbow that Miracle has ever seen in her life.


I love rainbows. They are such a perfect picture that God promises and fulfills...
"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures of every kind on the earth." Genesis 9:16

It was such a fun teachable moment. I had just put Miracle to bed and had said all my threats about why she better not talk or get out of bed and covered her with prayers and hugs and kisses and then I saw the rainbow out the window. I just had to get her up. We put on our flip flops and quickly went outside.
"Miracle look at the rainbow!"
"Wow, who made that rainbow?"
"God made the rainbow to remind us of His promise."
There was more to our conversation. Of course at bedtime, conversations are never quick if you are a 2 1/2 year old trying to stay up as late as possible.

Anyway, we were both in awe of the rainbow. Miracle wanted to walk on it. And I just stood in awe of the Majestic Creator...truly I love tangible signs of God's love and faithfulness to me. So the next night as I tucked Miracle into bed I asked her before we prayed what God had given her? And her answer was "a rainbow!"

I was reading in John chapter 20 today for quiet time. The context: Jesus has died on the cross and was still proving to His very own through personal appearances that He was risen and was still wth them in Spirit and Truth.
So today Jesus gave me this personal word which is so appropriate given the title of my blog:
"And He (Jesus) breathed on them and said,"Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:22

I am so thankful that Christ breathed on me the gift of life and more than that he breathed on me a wonderful counselor to guide me and show me God's personal rainbows in my life.

To see a rainbow, you have to be there right after the rain because God doesn't keep it in the sky very long. So often he is giving me reminders of His love, power, and promises but if I'm not waiting and watching I miss many breath-taking reminders...It is my prayer that I see more of these personal rainbows.
What do these personal rainbows look like?
  •  an inner peace when all circumstances point to chaos and confusion
  • it is a text from my husband at just the right moment
  • the reminder to pray for someone and then to find out from that someone what God did
  • when both kids sleep through the night completely :)
  • when my quiet time is almost non-existent but one verse flies off the page of my bible and changes my perspective
  • a financial blessing
Just like an actual rainbow all of these things are only tangible for a short while but they are forever reminders in my heart and mind.... Yet God knew that wouldn't be enough for me so he continues to send more rainbows to take my breath away and breathe more life into my soul.

The last verses of quiet time in John 20 were about Thomas and how he needed to see for himself:
"So the disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."...Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

So it was with the rainbow...It wouldn't have been enough to just tell my lil' girl about how it looked, she had to see it with her own eyes and now she knows that God has given it to her!
I'm so thankful that God doesn't tire of reminding us of His everlasting covenant with his beloved people!
Look for the rainbows...but remember they usually come after the disastrous storm or downpouring rain where the ability to see is very poor and you can't see your way out.

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Life keeps moving right along...

Even when my blogging world has been standing still since May...

Some things from the summer to catch you up -

  • It took 9hours 40minutes with three stops to drive from my parents farm at Butte, ND back home to Minnesota after a fun relaxing (not really restful with 2 lil' kids but...) time down on the farm with my awesome parents.
  • It took 2hours 19minutes with no stops to drive from Pete's parents home in Kerkhoven, MN back home after a great weekend of good food, a double date with Pete's sister and husband ( Nana and Papa babysat the kiddos and we floated home in the car on the way back to Pete's parents in the midst of a severe thunderstorm...I was holding Pete's sister's hand in the back of the car and praying out loud, literally! It was scary.),
  • Potty training is not for Miracle. She can hold her pee all day if she has underwear on or she will choose not to drink...she's smart and stubborn.
  • Matthias now has 5 teeth - 2 on the bottom, 3 on the top but is still missing one of the top front teeth. He is taking his first steps walking and still loves pacifiers and I am addicted to breastfeeding (well not really but still going strong).
  • Pete went on a weekend camping trip in July and his manliness and protector role was majorly missed and desired as the kids and I camped out in the cubby under the steps after the 3rd siren went off due to tornado touch downs.
  • We enjoy going swimming (or maybe I should call it wading in the shallow waters with some splashing) at the gym as a family.
  • We have brought out the lawn chairs and the stroller and pulled up to the curb to enjoy two parades and a marching band contest (Miracle's favorite by far) around the metro area.
  • I depend more on the power of prayer than I ever have in my life.
  • I miss writing and have high hopes of typing some quick blogs more often in the months to come...
Well that's it for now.