Reflections of Rainbows

We've lived in Hawaii for a little over 2 months. Rainbows are symbolic of the islands, thanks to a creative God who generously paints them across the skies here. It's not unusual in Hawaii to feel the warm sun on our skin while feeling a light rain shower at the same time - such a refreshing feeling! I've discovered that this frequent combination of rain and sun creates some predictable rainbows on Oahu.

Many days around 5 p.m. those conditions line up perfectly here at our new home. The sun and clouds are in their usual spot. I am too - I'm in the kitchen, facing the mountains, and I'm often feeling like I need a little boost of encouragement from my Creator. I look out the window above our kitchen sink as I'm preparing dinner or washing dishes, and I see a rainbow. (Because we live in a densely populated area, I also see lots of buildings and power lines.)

Looking past the trees, buildings, and everything man-made, I love to focus on that glorious rainbow.
Yesterday evening, once again, I paused from my tasks to take pictures of the evening rainbow, first snapping a picture from the window, then later stepping onto the balcony for more snapshots. Looking through the sequence of photos, I realized I had chronicled a rising rainbow! It began low, then it started arcing higher and higher as the sun began to set. For a while I could see a double rainbow, and the rainbow clung to the sky until the clouds thickened as the sun set.

Take a look!

Earlier this week we experienced another beautiful rainbow around dinner time. 

That was the evening that our area, like many others, announced that a shelter-in-place order would begin soon. We're told to stay home and avoid physical contact with people outside of our homes so to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

I was unhappy to hear that news. Ugh, I thought.

The second thought that came through my mind that evening was that God has intentions for us during this time. As a Christ-follower, as His child, I believe that He wants communion with us. As we slow down and spend more time at home, we have no excuse for not spending time with Him, in His Word, in prayer. This is an opportunity to turn our hearts toward Heaven. I personally felt that God has called me to certain things, and this is the time to pursue them. We're going to be stuck at home? There's no time like the present to seek God and pursue our calling.

Ugh. Stuck at home. 

Okay, God, You're definitely here with us, and we're here with you. You're in this! I looked out the window in that moment to see a big, bold, rainbow hanging out in its usual place. That night, it lingered in the sky  for over an hour. 

Because the shelter-in-place order was coming, we ventured out for one last get-out-of-the-house drive as a family. Walking toward our car, which was parked down the street, I passed a muddy puddle, and in it I saw the reflection of the rainbow. 

There can still be beauty in icky places. Because the Creator of the universe is an artist, He is painting glimpses of His beauty everywhere. He wants us to see it, to lift our eyes to Him, and to respond.

Psalm 123:1 (NKJV) "Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens."