All the Colors of the Rainbow

A Journal During the Coronovirus Pandemic
Reflections and Inspiration from Maple Grove
May 31, 2020

Today is the last day of May, 2020, and it is the eleventh week since the stay-at-home order was issued. This past week had many emotional highs and lows. Our Pennsylvania Governor announced on Friday that our county is included among those that will enter the "green phase" of reopening, but this good news was overshadowed by some horrific news.  Late in the day on Friday, however, God reminded us of His eternal love by displaying a beautiful rainbow in the sky.

We began the week in the yellow phase, excited that some businesses were opening, and we could gather in small groups, exercising social distancing.  It was Memorial Day weekend, and many were remembering and honoring those men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. In some parts of the country, health guidelines were ignored, and caution was thrown to the wind.  We should know in a couple of weeks how this will effect the spread of the coronavirus.

At the same time, on Memorial Day, tragic news hit the airwaves.  The heart-wrenching death of a black man while being forcefully constrained by a white police officer struck a painful nerve throughout the land.  The videos of the incident that surfaced are extremely disturbing. The color issue became intolerable, and protests emerged. Soon, in many cities across the nation, the protests erupted into violent and destructive riots. Our entire country is mourning over these recent events.

God loves color.  His whole creation is filled with many shades of color.  And God loves all people.  Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).  Click on the image to see the slideshow and listen to  Testify to Love.

While my heart is heavy with the world events--loss of life and livelihood, persecution and violence--God reminds me of His great mercy and love by placing His rainbow in the sky.

"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.  God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth'" (Genesis 9:16-17).

O Lord, my God, You are Love. You love all that you created and have shown great mercy to us.  Forgive us for failing to show love to one another.  By your Spirit, lead us and teach us to love as You have loved, showing forgiveness and mercy to our enemies as well as our friends.  Thank you for the rainbow to remind me how great your love is. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Links:

St. Luke Worship Service - May 31, 2020

Coronavirus Journal:

May 24, 2020 - Growing Vertically and Horizontally
May 17, 2020 - God Bless America
May 10, 2020 - Cleaning and Repairing Cluckingham Palace
May 3, 2020 - Be a Child
April 26, 2020 - Serve a Very Cheery Pie
April 19, 2020 - Waiting and Waiting
April 12, 2020 - Planting for New Growth
April 5, 2020 - The Grass is Always Greener
March 29, 2020 - Stay at Home
March 22, 2020 - Look Beyond the Challenge

Other Devotions by Katie:

Pea Gravel
Red Sky at Night