In Every Teardrop

 In every teardrop, there is a rainbow.

Eleven years ago we moved Mom into assisted living, out of the family home she had lived and loved in for 64 years. She vacillated between agreement with the need for the move, and resentment and opposition. It was a hard time. A wilderness time.

On one of those dark days, though, I remember crying as I drove between her home and the new place of residence, praying as I cried. And impressed on my heart by our loving God were the words of that promise, In every teardrop, there is a rainbow. Maybe that is one reason I really love rainbows.

Mom and I have navigated a wilderness journey since then. I am often bewildered and lost in decisions I feel unqualified to make. In those moments I hear Mom’s adage in better times, ‘everyone is just doing their best’, and know she would say that to me now if she were more aware. I also hear echoes of my dad’s advice, ‘make a decision, pull up your socks and do it.’ I find it amazing to look back and see how many times during these years I have made faltering decisions in faith, praying that as God sees me doing my best he will make up the shortfall.

And as I’ve pulled up my socks, I have seen him do it.

Thinking of wilderness, of Jesus being led into the wilderness for forty days, and of these wilderness years since Dad died, I am aware of the many miracles I have seen while out here with Mom. Even yesterday, calling Social Security, which can entail an hours long wait for someone to answer, we were through to a very helpful girl in five minutes. And then, as she had to seek approval from Mom for me to speak on her behalf, we watched in amazement as Mom clearly answered the questions, stating her name, her date of birth, and even my full name. Miracle upon miracle.

Today is my last full day here, and I have a wonderful gathering of five of us cousins, but I also have to tie up a few loose ends which are out of my control. I will continue to focus on Jesus, with his help, and trust that these things will resolve without problem and satisfactorily.

I am aware of so many praying for us. Thank you. I am grateful to God for a digital connection to friends who are staunch supporters. God bless you. 

In every teardrop there is a rainbow.