By Brenda Groves
The Post Newspaper Contributing Writer
Dear Readers, I distinctly remember when I wrote the following column more than 10 years ago, but strangely I cannot recall the specifics of the issues I was focusing on at the time. This is one of my favorite experiences because it reminds me of how God takes every issue in our lives very personal, and “He sent His word and healed them.”
The cow stared at me and I stared back.
She had a faraway look in her eyes, and I could only imagine at the time what she must be thinking. Was she thinking something about me as I sat in my vehicle only a few yards away from her? Perhaps she was just sizing up my Jeep …. “Whew, and I thought I needed to lose a few pounds. That big heifer over there must weigh a ton! Poor thing, someone should tell her she’s only supposed to ‘cheeeeeew’ the cud, not swallow.”
I had just navigated the roadways in a heavy rain which led me to that place again: the little side road that I stop at every now and then on the way home from work.
Several issues had popped up during the day that had demanded my full attention. As I tried to focus on the solution for one, another would surface. Throw in a couple of calls from family about “urgent” matters and the storm clouds began to brew inside and out. The wind picked up and by the time I left the office we had a full blown storm raging all around the city.
My own emotions were in turmoil and I battled to gain control of them (because I have learned too many times in the past, once those get loose, it’s not gonna be pretty; mascara running down my face, red nose, you get the picture). What I wanted to do was have a gripe fest and complain to God to tell Him all about the problems and offenses that had built up against me all day while bringing Him up to speed on every detail that had transpired, just in case He had missed something. I also wanted to express to Him that I needed to feel His love for me more often.
But I didn’t. With a deep sigh, I started the motor and headed back to the main road. Still focused on my own troubles, I pulled up to the stop sign and glanced briefly to my left where immediately my bottom jaw dropped open about a foot.
There was not one but TWO of the most vividly colored rainbows I have ever seen. They were magnificent, draped across the backdrop of the angry dark purple storm now retreating quickly to the north. I grabbed my camera and started clicking.
Suddenly a scripture came to mind and I recited it out loud. “Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
Then I stopped, because the Lord brought to my remembrance the author of that verse, the apostle Paul and what was going on in HIS life when he wrote those words. Let’s see, he was in prison at the time. Probably cold, starving. Beaten and in chains. The isolation. The odors, and there were most certainly rats and bugs to be found in abundance (no A/C or heat in that prison, or cable TV, or hot meals, showers or medical supplies).
But still, Paul could write those words because He knew without a doubt how much God loved Him. That’s where He focused His thoughts. That’s what He meditated on constantly. The “Gift,” our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul also wrote, “for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“That’s it!” I shouted out loud. “Lord, you sent Your only begotten Son (John 3:16) to die in my place, how much more proof do I need of your great love for me. And I thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!”
Suddenly I had been given “a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
Somewhere over every rainbow is the word of God.
And to think, while I was focused on the ordinary, I nearly missed the EXTRAORDINARY!
And now we know … WHAT THE COW WAS STARING AT !!! Lol!!
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
