Well, this wasn’t the first story I had planned to tell about what God has done in my life, but it’s definitely the story I need to tell tonight.
Nearly two years ago in the summer of 2022, my family moved away from our beautiful coastal carolina town, to a few hours away where we have lots of family land to build on and room to grow all sorts of good things. At least, that was the plan.
But then, life happened. Inflation skyrocketed along with mortgage interest rates, making it a not-so-smart time to build. So our short term rental that was never ever going to be big enough for us has become the not-so-short-term sardine can that we still call home.
The temporary clutter of moving has turned into permanent box artwork and Rubbermaid fixtures. With no real room to fully move in, we’ve been surrounded by the constantly hanging hopes (and disappointment) of our unrealized farmhouse and homestead plans. And it has been rough. Nothing is settled, and tensions run high as we watch and wait for the right time to move forward.
Earlier this year, many sources predicted a fall in the mortgage interest rates, making it affordable for most to build again. But so far, we haven’t seen that to be the case. Being an election year, you never know what impossibilities will become reality, so here we sit — ever eager to make our dreams come true.
In the waiting, I have battled the most relentless depression. It has been incredibly hard to be back “home” when both of my parents are no longer in this world. Each road and every turn is a reminder. There are so many conversations I long to share with my mama and daddy, but those will have to wait a bit longer.
Even still, in my darkest moments… with red cheeks and turquoise water-filled eyes, I remember where my help comes from and I cry out to Him. Oftentimes, when my voice feels so small and words completely fail me, I quietly whisper “help” and He has heard me. He knows my needs and he fulfills them.
Because tonight, He showed up in a big, only-God way.
There I was, hastily driving my daughter to urgent care to get a small foot injury assessed. I was annoyed by the rain that was falling from a sunny sky, making it hard to see where I was going, and then out of nowhere — we round a curve to see the largest, most vibrant and perfect end-to-end double rainbow that I have ever seen in my life.
(The quick photo we snapped while driving simply doesn’t do it justice.)
My eyes immediately welled up with tears, because I knew this was the sign I had been watching and praying for. It wasn’t just a random coincidence. It was divinely appointed. God has not forgotten me; He hasn’t forgotten any of us. He keeps His promises, and His ways are greater than any obstacle we face. We simply have to trust Him, even in the valley.
Tonight, as He shows off even further with the northern lights visible in our southern states, I am reminded yet again that YHWH is still on the throne.
‘Give Him all your tears and sadness, give Him all your years of pain…” — He is present, He is listening, and He loves you.
Love,
Emily
“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