Stay Gold
This morning thunder rolled above and the sky was filled with the oddest hue of gold and orange. I could see it though the blinds as I peeked out from under the covers of my toasty bed while trying to convince myself that I could stay there. I tried telling myself that my husband could fix his own coffee and the dogs could just wait to go outside. Surely the horses could miss breakfast, just today - I assured myself. Myself did not heed my efforts. Grudgingly, I pulled myself out of bed and headed to the coffee pot, only to realize I then had to go to the outside fridge to retrieve more cream for the java...
How many times have you said, "It's funny how God works" or "God works in mysterious ways"?
As I stepped out the back door it seemed as if I was walking into another world. I wish I could convey the scene with enough accuracy to give you the sense that you were there with me. It was better than a movie.
The air was cool and fresh, there was a peaceful calm as everything was quiet and still. The sheep were grazing on the dewy grass and the chickens were pecking around. Nary a sound was heard; not even birds were singing as they fluttered around in the golden hue. It was in the very least, surreal.
Do you remember the end of The Outsiders, the original movie, where Stevie Wonder sang Stay Gold? It was sorta like that...but better.
In awe I took it in. Then, the rainbow caught my eye. I've never seen a rainbow in the location it was this morning. Usually I see them in the east, but this morning it was south, right there where I was sure to see it. Right where I couldn't miss it, and a double rainbow at that!
Can you imagine the thoughts that were going through my mind?
Coffee forgotten, I ventured out onto the yard to get a better look. Trying to capture the amazingness of the whole situation proved futile as there is no way to get the colors and sounds recorded well enough with a phone, but oh, was it amazing. Awesome. Incredible. Breath-taking.
Once I got my rationale back I returned to the coffee pot, gathered the dogs and we happily returned to the porch together to enjoy our quiet time. Of course everything had changed. The air had lost it's glow, the birds were singing, roosters were crowing and the rainbow was gone...just as if it hadn't been real. As if it hadn't happened at all.
Sitting in my rocker I wanted to save the feelings I had just moments before. I didn't want to forget them and I wanted to share them! What if I hadn't gotten up? If I hadn't needed more cream I would not have gone outside. I would've missed the blessing.
One of my greatest joys is serving others. My greatest is serving HIM and by serving others I am serving Him thus my endless blessings. Not that I am adorned with sainthood and run around anointing others 24/7, but I find joy in the things I am able to do for others. So, the big question is, am I allowing others the same joy?
If I don't open myself up to help, prayer, the gifts of others, I deny them the ability to receive joy. What if I'm the only one they are led to serve that day? What if my rejection subdues their desire to try again?
Strangers opening doors, helping carry my pizza to the car or even a family member offering to do a menial task in my place are opportunities to show God's grace; to be a light of His blessing.
As I'm thankful for the blessings He pours on me daily: beautiful mornings, rainbows, joy, friends, family, love, peace...I'm learning to let the light of Christ shine through the cracks in my battered and broken shell; and as I do, my list of blessing grows exponentially.
Be a light. Receive the light. Receive the light to be a light.
1 Peter 4:8
Galatians 6:10
1 Peter 5:6
2 Peter 3:18
Matthew 5:16
photo credit: my dear friend Kay
