Rainbows of Hope

I have for a while been in the habit of taking a daily walk, and this past month I've been able to increase my duration and speed and therefore length. I have enjoyed watching spring come to the woods around my home, and I've even been able to pick out and see birds more easily in the trees and identify them. I have an uncle who knows birdsong incredibly well and only needs a few tweets to know who is singing. I'm not that well versed in twittering, but I can make a stab at visual identification. 

A phenomena that has occupied my eyes, though, is not related to the birds at all. I have been noticing all the rainbows that have sprung up, displayed in windows and yards, painted on rocks, as well as proudly displayed flags. Rainbows are a sign of promise and hope, an acknowledgement that hitherto this point, life has not been as it should be, but the rainbow seals the covenant on life beginning anew. The rainbow is the symbol of the promise that life will not be as we previously knew it - it will be better, and we need to have the courage to grasp that hope.

The rainbow first shows up in the bible as the symbol of promise after the flood that devastated the earth. The rainbow was a sign that God would never again send such destruction raining down. Since ten, our history has recorded many disasters and plagues and struggle. Through each trauma, we survive. We are scarred and scared, drained, and just want "normal" to resume. Remember that Lent is a time to practice renewing our relationship with God, and when we exit Lent, we are not supposed to resume normal. I invite you all to take time for meditation, deep breaths, and find ways to release "normal", and realize God. Every time you see a rainbow displayed, take a moment to thank God for breath, release your expectations of normal, and welcome in the peace of God.

I love you all
Stay Safe and Healthy
Wash Your Hands
Peace be with you
~Rev. Andrea Joy Holroyd

P.S. - I did not receive many Easter pictures from you, but I would love to make a greeting video for you all to share and see each other's faces. I have saved those few easter pictures I received, and if more folks send more greetings, I will make a video montage of your smiling faces. Email them to me at pastor at schohariepresbyterian dot org