Happy Seeing!

Over this past year our family has witnessed countless rainbows. I love rainbows, they hold a symbolic reminder of God’s promises; they hold a sense of mysteriousness for me and yet they reveal a glimpse of God’s glory. It is like he is showing off for us! I have seen so many rainbows this last year that I’ve begun to wonder why. I’ve never in my life seen so many so often. We have seen full double rainbows, half and partial rainbows.

My favorite rainbow siting was spotted right after a quick but marvelous summer thunderstorm just as the sun was setting. To the right of us the clouds were tightly woven together mixing shadows and brilliant color as only God can do. The air smelled new and sweet and in front of us the clouds were thinner revealing a gorgeous double rainbow; we could see it all the way down to where it faded right into the ground!

It was breathtaking, I hope each of you gets to witness this sweet beauty personally at some point.

There is beauty everywhere, there is good for those who look for good. There’s more to see than what meets the eye.

One of my dearest and closest lifelong friends who has struggled with chronic illnesses for most of her life continues to encourage me even while she battles through her own struggles. She recently sent me an encouraging note with the following written inside, I hope you get as much out of it as I did:

Hey you,

I’m so sorry you’ve had such low days lately. Bother, Bother. They really are so boring. The only thing I can think up to like about them is how much more I get to see.

It turns out, all my running about makes me much less aware of the way my husband’s hand really feels in mine or the way my youngest’s whole body vibrates with good news, or how slow my middle daughter is to speak. I never see the big stuff quite as well when I am in motion.

Do you think after all this is over we will be able to leave the house a mess and just sit down and see? I hope so, so much!

Maybe our priorities are being healed right along with our bodies. I like seeing and hearing and experiencing.

Will you remind me not to miss the big stuff once I am well? I’ll remind you, too. Like it or not. Because we’re that good of friends.

I hope you feel much better soon. Happy seeing.

Note to self: Slow down so you can see!

I am getting a crash course in this and yet I still struggle with it. It does not come naturally to me, this being still. Slowing down is not culturally acceptable. I could go on a mini rant about that but I won’t suffice to say that we have to be purposeful in how we spend our time regardless of where we are in life (sick, healthy, rich or poor).

We have to remember to choose to see. This is my challenge to you and to myself – slow down, take time to breathe deep; cherish this day that you’ve been given.

Happy seeing to you!