When I was a little girl, I always looked to the sky as my literal interpretation of Heaven. On those days when the sun shined just right through the clouds that the rays reflected down, I viewed that as God shining down on us. When loved ones passed away, I directed my messages to them to the sky. It was as if they lived up on those clouds in Heaven, just out of our view. As I have grown older, my definition of Heaven has obviously changed, but there is still a part of me that feels God just a little bit more on those days when the sun rays shine down.
While on vacation with my family a few weeks ago, I experienced a moment that really solidified this feeling of mine. While on the beach, my son pointed out a rainbow that he saw. I looked up to see a magical rainbow, unlike anything I have ever seen. It had not rained and there was no arch – just this beautiful prism of color peeking from the clouds. It felt surreal. I knew in that moment that God was there, reminding me and anyone on that beach that was willing to listen, that we were not alone and he was always with us. It was such a special moment to share with my family in a location that will forever hold a place in my heart.
My family has gone to the beach of Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, for vacation since before I was born. We still stay in the same place that was once a motel, now a set of condominiums. Years ago, my dad’s entire extended family came – aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, you name it – the whole Italian gang was there. We rented the whole first floor of the motel and had the time of our lives. Those are some of my fondest childhood memories. Fast forward many years, and I have my own kids. The tradition has fizzled out and my parents are the only people who still go on this same week in this same location, but my family gets to join them now. Words cannot describe the feeling in my heart watching my own children play and enjoy the same things I enjoyed in that exact location as a kid – the shuffleboard in the courtyard, jumping from the baby pool to the regular pool and back, the long walk to and from the beach, and the games at the boardwalk. It should come as no surprise to me that in these moments of pure joy and constant reflection, that an indication of God would appear.
The Bible tells us that a rainbow symbolizes the covenant between God and man – that God will protect us. In sharing these special moments with my children, I can only hope that I am able to protect them from harm and the harsh realities of the world as they grow up. This rainbow was a reminder to me that even if I can not protect them, which as a parent I so often can’t, God has them. Psalm 121:8 reads “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Even though I now know that God is not hanging out up there above those clouds, it is occurrences like this rainbow or visible rays of sunshine that remind me He is still there, always watching, always protecting.
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Lisa Replogle has had a long, ever-changing journey in her relationship with Christ, and she is excited to share what she has learned along the way. She is a certified early childhood and special education teacher and currently teaches high school learning support. She spends her time outside of the classroom coaching Special Olympics Unified Sports and sharing her passion for dance with local groups for individuals who identify as disabled. Lisa and her husband, Russ, are the parents of seven-year-old identical twin boys who love to be active and outdoors.