The Shaw family has an annual tradition: it is the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo. This past weekend, using our corn-on-a-sticks as weapons, we fought through the humid air to enjoy our children spending mom and dad's money(cough) experiencing the fun.
Speaking of fun, one of the highlights of my evening, other than the bull-fighting and rodeo clown, was the eighties music booming out of the speakers down the midway. I felt like I was back in high school, experiencing the same rides, resisting the urge to wiggle my tush to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Oh, and then I heard it from a friend who-oo-oo, heard it from a friend who-oo-oo, heard it from another...oh, there's the merry-go-round. A little REO Speedwagon, Stevie Nicks...Journey, Air Supply...then I saw Jesse's girl in the haunted mansion. Oh my, she had big hair. Black eyeliner. Leather pants.
I digress.
Finally, as the humid air turned to big random sprinkles, it occurred to me that there was Always Something There To Remind Me. Seriously, just moments after we heard that song and turned around like a tilt-o-whirl, there it was. A reminder. And not just one, but TWO. TWO RAINBOWS. And they hung around for over 20 minutes. I was stunned that everyone in the entire fairground was not Blinded With Silence over it.
I have NEVER, never ever ever NEVER, seen a double rainbow before. Stunned, delighted, exhilarated, silenced...there it was, there to remind me. Of all I have been through. Of all He has carried me through. Of all I have to thank Him for. I just can't help but remember the pain mixed with provision, the tragedy trumped by victory, and the uncertainty filled with purpose. He truly traded my ashes in for beauty and my sorrows into joy. He is an amazing God, all-powerful, wondrous, majestic, above all. Even now as I think of it, I feel personally loved that He would allow me this small glimpse of His splendor.
I'm quite certain that each year we trudge through the thick August air in Shaw family tradition, I will always remember the stunning silence of the double rainbow. And each time, I will tell of all the miracles He has done in my life--His Best of the 80s, if you will, and beyond...
Psalm 77:11-13 (NIV)
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?"
In the Key of HE,
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Okay this could be a long comment lol. First I had to copy and paste something I wrote awhile back on another blog that coincides with the 80's music thing. Here that is...
Ok picture with me if you will. I'm on my way to my best friends house to do some sewing. I'm sitting at a stoplight in my SUV, bebopping to some 80's music ( I know , sinner) and just thinking "Yeah,that's right, I'm okay LOL" and then it happens. I start looking around me. I have 2 car seats in the back, my sewing bag in the front, I'm wearing elastic band shorts and a t-shirt and my hair is braided in two pig tail braids and I'm driving a tank. IT's then that I realize, I AM NO LONGER COOL!!!! I started cracking up so hard (all by myself mind you). My eyes start watering, the nose starts running, I can't stop. I mean come on when did this happen? And why didn't anyone tell me sooner lol? Can anyone identify with me? Or am I alone in this?
Okay so that's that, now I wanted to comment on the rainbow. I love rainbows. They are God's constant reminder to us. I stand in awe everytime I see one, unless of course I'm driving. When I taught Sunday school we were teaching about the flood and it was like I said cue rainbow, for out the window appeared a DOUBLE rainbow. It was so awesome.
Okay do I get brownie points for longest comment today ha ha!
Blessings my friend.
Kim
Beautiful picture and message. You make me smile with your songs.
I love your closing in your signature. Thanks for your exuberance and joy of life, Lalee.
What a beautiful picture ... what a beautiful promise! Still giggling over the music...too cute!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! And for inviting me over! I LOVE it!!
How awesome is the God we serve! That is an amazing picture. Thanks so much for sharing. I enjoyed your blog.
Bethany
OK - I was getting lost in your post and all the music (ahh...memories!) and then WOW - that beautiful picture of the double rainbow you were blessed with! The only time we have seen a "double" was on our daughter's 16th birthday (she's almost double that now, but shhhh - don't tell!). It was like a special gift just for her...how can you match that??
Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind words. I'd love to add you to my blogroll, if that's ok with you...
And homesteader in training - I can identify. Although I think I'm in serious denial that "I'm no longer cool!"
Oh Laura Lee, what an awesome post. There are times that hit me like a rock as well, times where my mind just goes WOW to the awesomeness of God and what he has brought me from and to and how amazing and really quite unbelievable the change in my life has been.
On another note, I too love that funny feeling of going back in time when I hear all those 80's tunes - then I look in the mirror, and am reminded that I don't LOOK like I did back then either, LOL. :)
Loooove those songs!! Believe it or not...(hehe couldn't resist) I've seen several doubles, and every time they awe me. The most memorable was after a super spring storm. The massive storm clouds peeled back and there was the brightest double. Just like in life--the brightest is after the storm.
The pain mixed with provision, the purpose in the uncertainty - beautiful contradictions. Thank God for them.
You wrote this morning that you would pray for my family, fears and FULFILLMENT TO THE WAITING. (Thank you for your prayers.) I had never thought of God's answer as connected to the waiting. I guess I pictured it like I do my time and when I've done enough, God makes a move. It brings much more purpose to believe that the waiting and the answer are connected. It gives me purpose, to stay fulfilled, instead of disconnectedly standing by.
Know that I have what you mentioned on my heart this morning, and have offered up prayers for that situation as well. ~ Rebecca
Kim/homesteader, I figured out a long time ago that I am no longer cool, but thanks for reminding me. ;) I think I remember reading that post of yours. Entertaining stuff as always.
BP, when I saw your double rainbow icon on another person's site, I could not resist inviting you over to see mine. How wild is that! God is still reminding me to rest in His promise and provision!
Rebecca, probably what I should have said to you is "Fulfillment in him during the waiting." That would have been a better way of expressing it.
ON a side note, I pray that many people head over to your blog and read your post on your family situation. It broke my heart in two, but your faith also encouraged me tremendously. It is people like you, God-strong through trials, that show God's face to the world in a tangible way.
I gotcha! Your wording was secondary to the heart message - be fulfilled even before the answer comes around, even during the waiting. Sometimes I know these things in my head, but still need someone to come along and speak it into my heart. That's what you've done. :)
Doesn't it make you wonder (at least a little) what God was thinking about when he painted their reminder? It makes me think. I think they serve a dual purpose--for his purpose and for ours.
Rainbows speak the language of covenant between Creator and his created, not the other way around. They script a beautiful remembrance from long ago and will continue their story until they are no longer needed.
Regardless of human perceptions and thoughts in the matter, they are indeed a beautiful and sacred gift. We would all do well to take notice and to revere the holiness of our God through them.
What a magnficent picture. I'd be framing that one, girl!
peace~elaine
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