Raindrops to Rainbows
A planned, quick, spur of the moment get away didn't turn out quite like we had planned. My husband and I decided at the last minute to go on a little overnight retreat to South Haven, Michigan. Since it was a last-minute decision we took our dog with us. When we arrived at our destination, the hotel was less than appealing. The room was very small and the view from the window was an alley that looked right over a brick wall and smelled of motor oil. 'Okay so the room isn't that great, we can still enjoy our evening' or so we thought.
As we walked outside of the hotel I noticed dark rain clouds overhead and then came the sprinkles. As we began our walk in the light rain it turned into a heavier steady rain. Unfortunately, we were unable to go inside anywhere as we had our dog in tow. We were soaking wet by the time we got back to the hotel. Neither my husband or myself said too much, but I was thinking, ' why did we come here?' My husband asked if I wanted to go do something and I snapped back, "Where? We can't go inside anywhere with the dog and it's pouring down rain!" So, we just sat down in the room for a while feeling sorry for ourselves. To add to the ambiance, the room now smelled of wet dog.
We discussed where we might get some take-out, I looked out the window and noticed the rain had stopped. My husband found a cute little Italian restaurant with outdoor seating. We located the restaurant and sure enough there was an opening just for two (and a cute little smelly dog). The food was lovely, the rain had disappeared, and the sky began to brighten up. "Hey let's go check out the pier and lighthouse" said my husband enthusiastically. We walked along the pier to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets ever to exist. As I turned around to look at the lighthouse behind me there it was... a rainbow. It was ever so faint with its colors fading into the evening sky.
The next morning, we were able to enjoy breakfast outside and visit a farmer's market. Across the pier a couple had just repeated their vows as they looked out toward the smooth glass-like water. We walked down the pier one last time before heading home. The sun shining brightly, glistening on the water, I looked up to the sky and whispered, "thank you God".
Maybe you're going through a storm of your own right now. Are you having difficulty seeing anything good from your circumstances? Look up. Live as Christ. Philippians 4:8- "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Sometimes we just need God to remind us that there is still a lot of good in our lives.
As we were getting ready to drive out of the parking lot I noticed a man struggling to get his walker out of his car. He motioned for me to come over. The man was mute and showed me his phone that said, " can you help me with my walker". As I helped him get the legs of his walker situated, I looked up at him and he was smiling. He mouthed out, "thank you”. He was clearly happy that he had received help. Yesterday I was feeling sorry for myself, not able to enjoy the mini get away. We can choose how we want to act in every situation. Is every circumstance going to end with a beautiful sunset and rainbow? No, but I can choose to live as Christ. I can choose to look at the positive side in every situation. I can choose to see the good in all things. Yesterday I was disappointed in how things had started out, but this man was happy even in his circumstances.
Prayer: God, thank you for showing me in all circumstances that I can choose joy. Help me to see my situations as you see them. Lord, forgive me when I feel sorry for myself and can't get past my own struggles. Remind me that you are always there alongside of me and will always make a way.
Amen.
Bible Verse:
Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.