Out-running the Rain

This past Monday turned out to be a pretty dramatic day.

It didn't really start out that way but God certainly gave us a dynamic ending.

I had to take Caroline down to a neurologist appointment in Atlanta and unfortunately Shep couldn't go. This wouldn't normally be a big deal but the doctor wants to refer us to a specialist that we have seen before. This was completely unexpected and left me trying to process and pray about what seemed to be a mysterious and frustrating blow to us....again completely out of left field. (there will be more on this but not ready to fully divulge just yet)

On top of being completely taken aback by the doctor's information, Caroline decided to yank her g-tube out as I was in the process of feeding her.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to scream but I had to maintain some semblance of control. I got a nurse to stay with her so I could go try to find a syringe or something to help remedy the situation.

(In case you are feeling sorry for my child and thinking maybe I should have been concerned with her safety or pain from pulling this g-tube out....she was laying on the floor laughing at the mayhem she had caused. So~sorry.....no pity here.)

Anyway, I found a syringe, got the g-tube back in, finished feeding Caroline, changed her diaper and got to the car just in time for 5:00 traffic on highways 285 and 75. My nerves were blood raw, my stomach was churning, my mind was whirling, and the prayers being lifted were not fluent at all. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us because I am pretty sure that there were no clear and lucid thoughts emerging from my over-done brain.

Our sweet Linda had not seen the kids in several days and had pre-arranged to come visit them so that Shep and I could go for a motorcycle ride. After my fiasco of a afternoon I was beyond ready to hop on that bike and let my brain freewheel while holding tight to my man.

There were reports of thundershowers (as always in spring and summer) but we were gonna brave it and try to ride toward clear blue skies.

God had other plans for us.

At first things were fine. But it seemed like the dark gray clouds just kept closing in.

The sprinkles came and then we were getting pummeled by full blown rain. We could see blue skies but we couldn't seem to get to them. This was pretty much the gist of our whole ride.

We spent the whole hour and a half in and out of spitting rain. It was so strange. The blue sky and sunshine was there in the short distance...it just took forever to get to it. Finally we emerged from the dark clouds and enjoyed the brilliant sunshine. The darkness was now to our backs and the sky ahead was completely clear.

There was just one little problem.

The way home was NOT straight ahead. It was to our left and yep, you guessed it...back into the clouds.

It was like we were destined to be right in the thick of it. We had no sooner dried our helmets in the sunshine's warmth when we felt the first hits of rain....again.

It was truly a spectacle of creation.

I have never witnessed or experienced anything like it.

God was about to speak loud and clear to me.....using the tools at His disposal. CREATION.

As we headed south on highway 41 the clouds got darker and heavier. To our right.....blue skies.....lots of sun.

To our left and above....darkness, shades of deep gray, and rain

As the rain began to pour down...our eyes were drawn to something in the darkness.


It was the most radiant full rainbow I have ever seen.

The colors were clear and separate. I would have sworn that they were neon and glowing. Poor Shep had to drive and couldn't really enjoy the view. But I couldn't take my eyes off of the magnificent rainbow. It seemed to be following us.

It was such a funny sensation. All of a sudden the pelting rain didn't bother me. I was wet, cold, and the forecast wasn't improving but my view was different.

All the darkness and rain were now suddenly in my peripheral view....the spotlight was the rainbow. Everything else paled in comparison. It was beautiful to behold and breathtaking! I didn't even want to look at the simple sunshine to my right. I wanted to gaze intently into the darkness and rain just to fully take in His glorious rainbow.

Out of that.....God Almighty spoke to my heart.

Child, I am God. I tell the sun to shine and the clouds to pour.
I am God in the light. I am God in the darkness.
You spend so much energy trying to outrun the storm.
I have placed you in the midst of it.
Run as you may.... but it is my plan for the rain to pour right now.
Look into the darkness....my promise is there.
Don't be afraid.
Behold My provision, My protection, My presence inside the dark clouds and pounding rain.
I AM just as BIG and present with you here in this darkness as I AM in the light.
Trust me.
Trust my ways when you don't understand my methods.
Look into the storm.
Don't run from it.
Receive the promise I have for you there.



Job 26 says:

God stretches the northern sky over empty space
and hangs the earth on nothing.
⁸ He wraps the rain in his thick clouds,
and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
⁹ He covers the face of the moon,^[c]
shrouding it with his clouds.
¹⁰ He created the horizon when he separated the waters;
he set the boundary between day and night.
¹¹ The foundations of heaven tremble;
they shudder at his rebuke.
¹² By his power the sea grew calm.
By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.^[d]
13 His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,
and his power pierced the gliding serpent.
¹⁴ These are just the beginning of all that he does,
merely a whisper of his power.
Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”