THIS AMAZED ME
July 29, 2025
Several weeks ago, after light rain, I set out about 7:15 pm for my 8 o’clock caregiving shift. On my route to my overnight shift, I enter I-70 from 10 th Street in Topeka. Construction at my usual entrance prevents me from going that route. As I traveled from home to the interstate, I was having a prayer talk. I usually spend this trip in various types of prayer or listening to music. It’s my special time alone. My focus was on my sense of having failed in some way. I was going through one of those times of self-criticism. As I neared my entrance to I-70, I said to God something like this: “I want to leave the past behind and make every minute count.” As the words left my mouth, I pulled onto the interstate and immediately before me was a magnificent rainbow. I have never seen one like this. It covered the sky from left to right. Not only that, but as I delighted in the scene, I saw another above the first. I couldn’t stop and take a picture even though I saw someone had pulled over on the shoulder to do just that. I had to capture the image in my mind as I drove and savor the evidence of God’s beauty for five minutes or so. Then, it began to rain again, and the rainbow faded.
Two friends shared their rainbow pictures on Facebook. As I wrote this, I asked them to text me their pictures.
That’s not all. A week later, I was on my way to work, same route, and almost to my interstate turn-off. Here is my journal entry:
“I was praying about the changes I want to make to ‘walk in the Spirit.’ I saw a rainbow to my left—then one to the right—then in the middle—than a second one below! It was so beautiful. The sun had been shining as I left Topeka. As I got closer to my destination, the sky became gray—with a little sun shining through—and then this rainbow! A sign of hope! I was amazed and shared that with my client when I arrived!”
We know that the rainbow was a promise from God to Noah after the earth was flooded. He promised He would never flood the earth again. God is asking us to find hope when we see the rainbow, I believe.
David wrote these words about God’s message to His created world:
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
Night after night they make him known.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.”
(Psalm 19)
What beauty of nature has caused you to pause and sense God’s power and presence?
I remember well my first year in college when I felt overwhelmed with a couple of classes and just the pressure I felt. Some friends in my dorm asked me to go on a walk with them. It was a late Sunday afternoon. This was in Liberty, Missouri. There were lots of trees and hills and sky scenes as the sun set. I had a profound sense of peace from that time in nature.
It’s not Missouri, but close! Shunga Trail in Topeka
When we go to visit my daughter and her husband, in Tucson, we see such beauty in nature. I never knew how beautiful the desert could be! The sunsets from their balcony and the view from the front of their home of the mountains always causes me to stop and feel the special sense of God’s glory, who He is.
Isn’t it interesting to think of Jesus being with God at creation? John referred to that when he wrote: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1)
And the Holy Spirit was there too—” and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1)
My experience with not one, but two, displays of God’s handiwork in the majestic rainbow sighting reassured me of who He is—a present and powerful God. I want to be open to His appearances, whatever they may look like, however He may reveal Himself to me. I’m just about ready to go to my night shift now. I will certainly be on the lookout for Him!
This is how the story ends.
As I arrived at my client’s home, I got a text from Julie Pasta who sent me her rainbow picture I had requested.
But that’s not all! She sent me two more pictures! And this message:
“Just went out and saw one right now too!”
I felt that God had the last word with this blog.