Lately I have been re-discovering the richness and depth of the hymns I grew up on. As I was looking through my hymn book, a birthday gift from a friend a couple years ago, I came to No. 404, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, and paused to read. I'm not sure if I'd ever read all the verses before, at least not this carefully. Each verse has much to ponder, but verse three especially stood out to me with its nuggets of poetic imagery.

O Joy that seekest me through pain

I cannot close my heart to thee

I trace the rainbow through the rain

And feel the promise is not vain

That morn shall tearless be

I trace the rainbow through the rain. And at times, through the tears. It's like sitting by the window during a rain storm, watching as each drop weighs the leaves lower and makes the sky darker. Yet somehow, when you aren't quite expecting it, a ray of sunshine finds a path to burst through. The clouds fade away, the rain slows, and a bow of faint color arches across the sky; just the way a little blessing causes a smile to creep across your face and into your heart. As your finger traces the shape on the glass, through the droplets, so the finger of remembrance traces the colorful trail of unexpected blessings in your life.

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Genesis 9:16

There would be no rainbows without the rain. Rain makes things grow and bloom – it's what strengthens and molds our character. And when the light of The Son bursts through, we can see the precious rainbows, and feel the promise is not vain. 

Only God can create something that beautiful. And thus, it bears testimony, just as it did to Noah long ago. His words are true and trustworthy. For one day, someday, that morn shall tearless be. 

It makes my heart smile…There's a rainbow in the rain. I see mine. Do you see yours?