There are very few things that will make New Yorkers stop what they are doing, take their eyes off their phones and look up.
But last night, New York City witnessed an act of mother nature so spectacular, that even hardened New Yorkers took note.
A magnificent double rainbow — two full arches — end to end, glowed over Manhattan, after a weekend full of thunderstorms.
It was truly dramatic — gleaming against the dark rain clouds. I was on my way to grab a drink with a girlfriend, and it stopped me in my tracks.
Clearly, I wasn’t the only one. Because for the rest of that night, and all day today, social media has been flooded with images of the double rainbow arches.
I don’t know about you, but whenever I see a rainbow, my mind instantly goes to Noah and the ark – with the rainbow being God’s promise to mankind that He will never destroy the earth again with a flood.
And reflecting on that today, in our post-pandemic, 2021 existence…that symbol kind of hits different, if you know what I mean.
Covid has been really difficult on a lot of people, especially in regards to our faith. We’ve had to navigate some pretty dark times, isolated, unable to attend church in person, and full of fear. And that combination has put our faith to the test in a big way.
Couple that with the civil unrest in the streets, the financial hardships that so many of us endured from the pandemic, the lack of human interaction, and just the sheer volume of death in the world — there were definitely moments when I was questioning where is God in all of this?
That feeling of abandonment. Forgotten in a world that was sinking like the Titanic in the night.
Were the prayers of the millions and millions of frightened, hurting people, pleading for an end to the pandemic falling on deaf ears? Does God just not care that people are dying alone in hospital beds, unable to see their loved ones one last time? Is there no mercy in His heart, to stop this terrible virus?
And living through it in New York City – the epicenter – the hardest hit, it was like living through the apocalypse. I would have to walk past the freezer trucks that were acting as makeshift morgues outside the hospital in my neighborhood.
I watched the USS Comfort sail up the Hudson River, to aid in the massive hospital crisis we faced. Deserted streets. Vacant storefronts. All we needed was Will Smith and we had ourselves a blockbuster.
And tonight, to see these two incredible rainbows fully stretch from end to end over this walloped city – it was a powerful sight to behold.
That’s one thing I’ve learned, first hand, about God: He keeps His promises.
There was a verse I clung to when I was at inpatient treatment for my recovery from anorexia. It was John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Though, at the time, I didn’t know what it would look like to have a life “to the full,” I knew that God would give me just that.
I had been letting the thief control me through the eating disorder. “Steal, kill and destroy” — yeah, that was exactly what He was doing with me. I finally surrendered everything to God – the control, the healing process, the fears, what I ate, the moment-to-moment struggles — I surrendered it all, knowing that He promised me a new life. A full life.
And standing here today, this full life I’m living — healed, healthy, with a full head of hair again, menstruating, thriving, back to the girl I used to be — my life is living testimony to God’s fulfillment of His promises.
I’d like to think that those rainbows last night were little nudges of encouragement from God that He hasn’t forgotten about us. That He hasn’t forsaken us. Many – myself included – see this vaccine as an answer to those millions and millions of prayers — a life raft, provided by the Father to save us from this virus.
Many, myself included, can see a faint silver lining in this pandemic: that it brought back into focus that which truly matters in this life: family, loved ones, our faith, being together.
Many – myself included – can appreciate how this pandemic brought about a real thirst for God and His presence — a relationship that many – myself included – may have been taking for granted before the pandemic.
Whatever this pandemic has brought about – the good, the bad, the ugly – I’d like to think God was reminding us of His goodness last night.
That, like He promised Noah that He would not destroy the earth through flood ever again, that He will get us through this season, too. He is in control, and can bring about good from even the darkest situations.
What have you taken away from this pandemic? What has it taught you, good/bad/or ugly?
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
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35 responses to “A Reminder in the Sky”
I love New York city a beautiful post thank you so much
me too – i love this city. thanks friend. Hugs and love xox
Wow. Definitely dramatic! What a gorgeous reminder that the bow of God’s wrath was aimed at the heart of Heaven, and pierced His Son for our wretched sakes. How beautiful is our Savior! Come, Lord Jesus!
thank you Eden! You’re right – it was a stunning display in the sky! and amen to that — His Son, our Savior and Redeemer and Rescuer!! so glad you stopped by! big hugs to you xox
Lovely post, my dear online friend! I’m so grateful that the Lord has restored to you the years that the locusts had eaten (see Joel 2:25-32).
Hi Jan! Oh gosh, thank you so much! Yes – me too – i am so grateful for this second chance at life!! God is good! I’m looking forward to looking up those verses! Hugs and love xox
A beautiful photo, rainbows always reminding me of God, that He is still in control and always will be. A beautiful post, Caralyn! ❤️✝️
Thank you John! Wasn’t it a beautiful display of God’s magesty!?! And love! Amen to that – He is always in control. Grateful for you, my friend! have a wonderful night! Hugs and love xox
Amen, Caralyn! This time has definitely taught me to cling to Jesus even tighter. It’s also taught me to be more grateful for our blessings. Beautiful rainbow! Blessings!
Thanks Ryan! you’re right about that – cling to Jesus even tighter. i love that so much. This has definitely been a time for that. And for gratitude! so glad you stopped by! have a wonderful night. Hugs and love xox
Double Rainbows… what a sight to behold.
We had it similar here in Australia a few weeks ago and we just had to stop, and take it all in!
Hi friend! i totally agree! they are so beautiful! and that’s so great you got to see one too! glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox
Dear Caralyn, because you are one of the Redeemed, these events of the last year have brought you closer to our Lord. However, there are those who do not believe in Jesus, and they are hardening their hearts and “blaming God” for these problems . . . even though they do not believe He exists. Like C.S. Lewis, they don’t believe in Him and resent Him for not existing!
Such is the madness of unbelief. So in the end, even when He demonstrates His ultimate powers in judgement, they will not repent and they will curse God who would forgive them even then if they would.
Revelation 16:9,11, 21
Pray for these deceived as they will get worse if they do not find His grace.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
Hi CA, thank you for sharing your heart on this. Sadly, you’re right – and these events of last year have only confirmed their belief that God “doesn’t care” or even worse…doesn’t exist. You’re right — prayer is the big thing we must do for our brothers and sisters. His grace is amazing – and we have to pray that people are open to receive it. so glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox
Amazing photos! I also remember that Jesus said he would come back suddenly, just like IN THE TIMES OF NOAH, and also that NOAH was a SIGN to us. I hope the people and politicians of the state of New York will fear God, repent, and believe in Jesus before it’s too late.
Hi PK! Thank you so much!! YES!! you’re so right about that. Noah was a wake up call that we need to make ourselves right with God, like you said…before it’s too late! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful post and picture, my dear. And a beautiful reminder of God’s provision and promises, even in the midst of a global crisis. I needed that today: the reminder that God has not forgotten His people, that He will restore us and that He, ultimately, is in control. Thank you dear. <3
Thank you so much Rulonda! I really appreciate your kind words 🙂 Yes! He is in control and hasn’t forgotten His children! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful post, Caralyn! Thank you for sharing this reminder that He keeps His promises. May we all stay blessed.
That was a spectacular rainbow
[…] A Reminder in the Sky […]
Thank you Tonya for the link up! Hugs and love xox
Good words. May that rainbow continue to spread over the whole of the earth, to bring the billions of people not yet vaccinated, still in the darkness of the pandemic. Let us help them see the rainbow too, the way out of the darkness.
Refreshing! Having just come out of three weeks of Covid, it is especially meaningful. Thank you. Inspiring!
The promise from God I hold onto most dearly is His promise that someday I’ll be transformed into someone just like Jesus. I can’t even imagine what that’ll be like but God doesn’t break His promises and rainbows appearing in the sky out of nowhere remind me of that.
Beautiful pics of hope
Gods beauty!!!
I had heard once that the rainbow is a symbol of God’s reprieve. That when we see one it tells us that the return of Christ is held at bay for at least another seven years. Whenever I see I rainbow I think of that. Which is quickly followed by, “I wonder what it would look like to not see a rainbow after a rainstorm…?” Which is also quickly followed by, “I should probably try harder to be better person.”
This, like so many of your posts (at least all the ones I have read) was good to find. Thanks for sharing you with us.
How beautiful and yes! It bears remembering. I once saw a full circle rainbow through a canyon just below Copper Mountain in Colorado many years ago. That is truly amazing and no, there was no kettle full of gold coin below it, lol.
thanks Jo – oh wow, that sounds like such a majestic view! there’s something so stunning about the mountains…and then a rainbow on top of that!? Amazing! glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful pictures!
The ‘shot’ is difficult… 🤦🏼♂️ – I am against this particular one… It is a painful decision 😬
John 10:10 🙌🏼
thank you David! I appreciate your thoughts on this! Hugs and love xox
Hey just a little update, iIhave been in a out of the hospital many times now, and am looking a a unique kind of assitance aka a service dog, I was wonder if you would mind helping me spread the word about my gofundme page it would be such a blessing, if nothing else prayers are a blessing too
https://www.gofundme.com/f/natalies-service-dog-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/natalies-service-dog-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1/
Thank you for your update Natalie! I will be praying for you!! hang in there friend!! Hugs and love xox
I love Rainbows. 🙂