{"id":121,"date":"2012-10-31T01:02:48","date_gmt":"2012-10-31T01:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=121"},"modified":"2012-10-30T20:57:53","modified_gmt":"2012-10-30T20:57:53","slug":"rainbow-rising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2012\/10\/rainbow-rising.html","title":{"rendered":"Rainbow Rising"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Image courtesy of graur codrin\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0God’s promise of unending love for us is so magnificently evident in the play of colors and graceful arc of the weather phenomenon that never ceases to make me pause, smile, and feel comforted.<\/p>\n

But, as those living in the aftermath of any storm or natural disaster will agree, the hours and sometimes days after can be anything but good. Whether it’s digging out from under piles of fresh snow, slogging through flooded streets or basements, or picking up the pieces after a major earthquake, we certainly have work to do – hard work – when the proverbial storm passes.<\/p>\n

And, yet, we still have the rainbow.<\/p>\n

God’s wisdom is unparalleled! He knows that we rejoice in the rainbow and all it means to the relationship between Him and us. And so He gives us this sign even as we live through more difficult days putting our lives back together. Imagine how Noah and his family must have been carried along by the comfort of the rainbow even as they had to unload the ark, rebuild their homes, and reestablish their lives after the flood!\u00a0\u00a0The energy that sight\u00a0must have given them, and the security of knowing God’s promise. Yes, there might be difficult times ahead. But never again the\u00a0destruction that those on the ark had witnessed.<\/p>\n

The rainbow accompanies me all along my walk with illness in much the same way as it graces the sky after a storm. The “storm” of a flare can be grindingly painful, and its end not easily\u00a0defined. But, when I\u00a0look\u00a0to the rainbow and think of God’s promise, I am reminded that the emotional and spiritual strength that that beautiful sign\u00a0connotes\u00a0can infuse me with all the energy I need to persevere.<\/p>\n

Whether you have weathered a natural storm or a personal crisis, I pray that the rainbow will grace your life, too. As we journey on, this rememberance of\u00a0God’s love has a way of lifting our eyes and spirits.<\/p>\n

A rainbow always rises!<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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