CHASING RAINBOWS

It was the summer between 5^th and 6^th grade, a time when life was mostly innocent.  My days were spent doing typical boy stuff; mostly riding my BMX bike everywhere and anywhere.

One particular morning, it was raining when I woke up; not my favorite way to start the day while on summer vacation. Since it was raining, I took my time getting ready. I casually ate my bowl of cereal while staring out the window and thought the rain was never going to end. After finishing my Cheerios, I decided to go biking.  What did I have to lose? I was 11 and who’d really care if I got wet? So, I jumped on my bike and off I went.

Not long after setting out, the rain let up and the sky started to clear. 

Photo credit: Steve Erb

Soon, a beautifully bright rainbow appeared in the distance.

It was huge and spanned the horizon; the brilliant colors were mesmerizing. It seemed as though the rainbow was calling to me, so I decided to see where the rainbow ended. I pedaled as fast as I could because, even though I was only 11 and didn’t know much, I did know that rainbows never lasted very long. My legs were pumping and my heart was pounding as I darted down the street, taking short cuts through alleys, crossing railroad tracks, and blazing through a field, all the time keeping the rainbow in sight. While nearing the edge of the field, the rainbow disappeared as quickly as it appeared. I stood there disappointed while trying to catch my breath. On the ride back home, I told myself, “Next time, I’ll catch it!”

Looking back, I now realize that rainbows aren’t meant for us to catch or grab, but rather a gift for us to enjoy and appreciate when they do appear.

Genesis 9:16 “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”