Somewhere Over the Rainbow
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
-Psalm 126:5
“Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true”
“Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can’t I?”
I have been casually singing those lyrics all week.
While doing laundry. During casual conversations. Walking up the hallways at work. Driving (& sitting) in traffic.
And I figured it was just a tune stuck in my head. A nice, “little” positive tune to repeat aimlessly.
Well, until yesterday evening that is…
Because this time when I started singing those lyrics, I was hastened in the moment to both pause and focus my attention on a certain “something.”
A certain “something” that was patiently, pleasantly, and welcomely waiting for me to admire it’s beauty.
For me to behold a sweet reminder of the God of my ancestors, the covenant keeping, sovereign, and omnipotent One.
That something was the most beautiful, refreshing, mesmerizing and endearing rainbow.
Do you know the one that emerges immediately after the rain has passed?
Yep, that one.
And it was certainly right on time, too.
You see, I have been praying and seeking answers all week regarding this next season.
“What now, God?”
“How did we get here, God?”
“What am I to do with these broken pieces, God?”
And I will even admit that I have been a bit nervous, hesitant, and uncertain as well regarding this next season.
Because I am seemingly entering into unfamiliar and uncharted territory.
Moreover, I am in season in which everything that I had strategically planned out, executed, and kept my watch over, suddenly went awry wrong.
Or so I initially thought.
And did you notice that I said: “I had strategically planned out, executed and kept my watch over?”
Oh, silly one.
But you know?
Life has a way of throwing us curveballs and giving us constant reminders of the ways seasons inevitably change.
Currently, I am in a season in which I am wrestling between my mind, my heart, my soul, and my spirit—a wrestling of trusting and believing in His promises AND having a very human experience of a myriad of emotions, thoughts uncertainties, and even missteps.
You see, some days I have hope that better days are not only coming but, that they may already be here, and it is imperative to seize the moment. Yet, other days I am filled with much grief and sorrow at the sudden passing of my best girl, my granny, my Frances Lucille, because I thought that we still had so much more to say, share, learn, glean, and even experience together.
Some days I have unshakeable and unspeakable joy, peace, and happiness when I consider the beauty and intricacies of this journey called life; but then, other days I want to crawl into a corner and scream because this simply cannot be reality.
Some days I am filled with so much confidence, passion, and zeal that I can do anything and do it well. Yet, other days I ponder if I really am capable, if it is truly plausible and whether I should play it safe and do what is certain, familiar, comfortable, safe, and easy.
I meannn, the economy is doing (or not doing) it’s thing currently and it simply may not be the “right” time to embark upon wild adventures, hopes, dreams.
But you know?
That beautiful, inviting, and welcoming rainbow and those provoking lyrics reminded me of how one can go from a season of being beautifully wrecked to being beautifully redeemed, restored, and realigned.
That enchanting rainbow and healing lyrics invited me to remember the Lord who is not fazed nor intimidated by changing seasons, nor fleeting emotions, nor disheartened thoughts, insecurities, and questions.
That the most sovereign God looks down and sees my humanity with all of its changing seasons: of difficulties, griefs and joys, dancing and mourning, brokenness and redemptive moments, uncertainties and confidence, disobedience, and repentance yet He smiles and still says: beloved, lovely, good, and wonderful.
You, see…
That rainbow spoke to the very nature of the most sovereign God, the redeeming nature of Jesus and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit. The Everlasting One throughout all generations who makes and keeps covenants.
And if that is indeed a blessed assurance...
Why then would He make promises to me and not keep His Word?
Why then would He speak it and not fulfill it?
Why then would He decide to fail me now?
Why then would He not gather all of the broken pieces of my heart and not only mend it but grant me a new one?
Oh, beloved one that rainbow says the He will do exactly what He promised, what He spoke, that He will not fail me and that He will gather every single broken piece of my heart, mend it and create in me a new one.
That rainbow peeked out at just the right moment to remind both you and me that beauty always emerges from even the darkest of heavy and low clouds.
And is not God so kind to grant us joyous, delightful, and sweet reminders and even songs to sing…
That somewhere over the rainbow: skies are blue.
That somewhere over the rainbow: the dreams I dare to dream really do come true.
That somewhere over the rainbow: bluebirds fly, why then, oh, why can't I?
And, you know?
I just have to believe that somewhere over the rainbow, He is keeping His promises to you, too.
Your heart will be healed, too.
Your song will be restored, too.
Your dreams will happen, too.
And the tears you have sown in your changing seasons will reap with songs of joy, too.
“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 9: 12
