Who can resist the beauty of a rainbow?

I Feel Blessed and At Peace When I See A Rainbow

I have spent a good part of my life outdoors. Anyone who has backpacked for several days can understand. Not every day will be full of sunshine and fair breezes. You’re bound to run into inclement weather at some point. That’s why you always carry rain gear in your pack.

I recall several days hiking the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies. That is one trail where you can be sure that raindrops will pelt you. In fact, some through hikers quit because of constant rain exposure. It is no fun to hike in squishy, wet boots. Or having to huddle under a tarp to fire up a backpacking stove for a warm meal. Yet a rainbow in the Smokies can take your breath away. You forget your discomfort & feel such AWE.

Or I recall huddling in a tent with other climbers on a mountain saddle in Wyoming. We were in a position to ascend the Grand the next day and it rained all night. Well, the climb didn’t happen. We couldn’t even see the Grand Teton the following morning. Wet and dejected we slogged down a muddy trail to our cars. We drove into Jackson Hole as the sun broke through the clouds and a glorious rainbow appeared. Despite all, the sight captivated us. What disappointing luck, we would have returned for another day.

Or that time our Senior Scout group paddled and portaged across several lakes in a downpour. We were frantic to get injured paddlers to a medical facility and couldn’t wait for the weather to clear. The Boundary Waters is a vast wilderness. Cell phones do not work. On our final lake, the sun came out. That rainbow energized our weary bodies to press on. The end of our race for help was near.

Whenever tragic circumstances threaten to overwhelm you, a majestic rainbow can invigorate your spirit. We don’t always understand why misfortunes happen. Many want life to be easy, without hiccups. But bumps in the road give us character and fortitude. We gain strength and resilience we didn’t know we had.

THEN WHEN VICTORY COMES AND OBSTACLES ARE SURMOUNTED, ISN’T THE PRIZE MUCH SWEETER?

That rainbow in the sky is actually sunlight striking water droplets at an angle. A reminder that the sun is always there behind every gloom. I can hear God saying, “You are not alone.”

Without all seven individual colors, a rainbow wouldn’t have the same impact. The Creator seems to LOVE color. That makes me reflect on the different colors that exist among mankind. Wouldn’t it be a dull world if we all looked the same? We are all one spirit. It doesn’t matter if our skin is dark or light or shades between.

We all want the same thing; love, peace, and a fulfilled life. My husband and I hosted seven exchange students. They came from Scandinavia, India, Japan, the European continent, and Australia. We had the privilege to visit many of their families. Our parents voiced the same concerns for our children, that they are able to live in peace and follow their dreams.

I realized we’re not so different after all. It doesn’t matter what country we’re from or the color of our skin or the language we speak. We are citizens of this world with the same dreams. May we all learn to live in harmony and end all conflicts.

May we reflect on the rare sight of a twinned rainbow and come together in peace. Then the angels can look down on us in awe at what WE have created together.

This article is written in response to a prompt about rainbows by Dr. Singh.

This story by Adil Maqbool spoke to me. How often do we meet strangers in our travels that attract us for one reason or other? They might look lonely or sad. We hesitate to speak or might offer a few words, trying to connect. Then they’re distracted by a phone call or a ride arrives and the moment is gone. How sad we’ll never see them again. We are all sojourners on our own paths.

Loved this post about an orange tabby that spoke to Jodian Thomas’s heart. I have an orange calico that my housemates and I fell in love with at a shelter. Now Benny rules the roost. Even my miniature poodle, Rusty, is hesitant to walk past him at times. If you like pets this is a good read.