“When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:16 (ESV)
If you’re like me, you live for vacation….those days when you chill at the beach, relax and get recharged. COVID-19 has ingrained us with a deep longing for normalcy. A return to all we knew before 2020 began. And vacation is one of those things I so looked forward to and long for – a trip to the beach. Breathing in fresh air. Feeling the sand between my toes. Simply getting away from the same routine, same work at home environment for an entire week.
Truth is nothing is normal anymore. Just as we headed for vacation a hurricane was aiming towards our fave vacation spot. Should we go or stay at home? While part of the island was evacuated, our area was allowing guests. We arrived and hoped for the best. One day in and during the middle of the night the house shook, the winds blew and kept us awake through the night. Thankfully, the storm wasn’t as bad as expected. The next morning there were no signs a storm was even in the forecast. And God beautifully painted a rainbow draped from the skyline of the ocean to the land in an almost perfect line with the most brilliant shades of pastel. Never seen anything so beautiful – in these moments normal is overrated.
Perhaps 2020 ushered in one storm after another for some of you. Maybe this year, you’ve wondered if your “new normal” will ever yield the sweet fruit of joy again. Could it be this year, unveiled deep losses leaving you overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. Feel free to fill in the blanks….the storms of 2020 have been difficult.
Just in case we forget, I want to remind us God is fully aware of all we are facing. He is near to the brokenhearted and comforts us with the sweet aroma of His presence. While our storms may be still raging and yes, 2020 has not ended, we can find hope in His promises. Our lives may be shaken. Our hearts may be broken. Our normal may have evaporated. Sleep may have evaded us. Yet nothing can separate us from the love of God. What we thought would kill us is being transformed by our God. His view is not limited by the raging storm but rather focused on the beauty of His everlasting covenant to not destroy us.
“Father, the beauty You birth in our life after a storm far surpasses the terror of the night. We can rest in Your promise that joy will come in the morning if we keep our eyes on You.”
For His Glory
Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life
trbccoffeebreak 
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