On This Date

On this date, six years ago an early spring had sprung. That particular morning was glorious! The sun was bright and the dew glistened brightly over the lush carpet of green grass. I remember the Bradford Pear trees being in full bloom while lining the quiet streets, and the Tulips and Daffodils were on full display. The air smelled like Rosemary. Just stepping outside that morning made my heart smile; as I was serenaded with precious songs sung by a sky full of happy-sounding birds. I remember the sleep in my eyes and the smell of my first cup of coffee. I had taken a few minutes to enjoy the morning, sitting in a garden swing with the warm sun shining fully on my face. I remember that day clearly – thinking it was going to be a beautiful day! And let’s face it – I don’t care where you’re from or where you’ve ever been, but you simply cannot beat springtime in the Carolinas!

There was a thing in the garden called a Prayer Labyrinth. It was a path made from beautifully crafted stepping stones – each different, full of brightly colored mosaics of glass, stones, ceramic tiles, pebbles and shells. The path didn’t lead to anywhere, just wound around in and out of itself in a giant circle. Standing on each stepping stone would conjure up some kind of thought – probably very personal for each person who’s ever stepped on one. And with each stepping stone I landed on, I prayed. With God’s artistry of nature on full display and well-lit by the beaming rays of the sun, I was walking with my Jesus right here on earth – ushered into His presence with each step that I took. The stones and shimmering glass were mesmerizing. My heart was experiencing the peace given to me by the Holy Spirit. He was there. He was all around and I could feel Him. The day was one you wished would never end, but the clock ticked, and the minutes of that day were passing in what seemed to be double time.

Just like a Carolina Springtime is like none other, they are also unpredictable! As spectacular a day as it started out to be, it wasn’t long before dark clouds started to roll into the blue skies. Rumbles of thunder were breaking the distant silence, slowly and barely audible at first. There was a storm coming. As it drew closer the skies grew darker still, the winds picked up and the louder claps of thunder rattled the windows. Lightning streaked across the grey skies. I pulled the blinds closed – it was a frightening storm and I didn’t want to see it. The wind-driven rain pounded against the glass, the cracking thunder and lightning flashes caused me to tremble. I knew we were safe, I felt protected but the storm was so bad. It was the worst storm I had seen in a while but right in the midst of that storm, the skies really did open up and the Angels in Heaven rejoiced!! And peace fell on me that only comes from Jehovah Shalom, the Prince of Peace. There was indeed a sweet, sweet spirit in the place – and I knew it was the Spirit of the Lord.

With Mother Nature keeping us forever on our toes that time of year, as quickly as that storm came up, it moved out just as fast. The rains died down and the winds calmed. Tears were rolling down my face as I sat in the silence of the moment and I was so grateful for the Amazing Grace afforded to us by God! I was dwelling in peace that surpasses all understanding. Despite the storm – the day was still beautiful and one to remember as one where sickness and pain ended and the old was made new again.

With the skies still dark from the swollen rain clouds, God decided to make Himself visible! Just like He promised He would in Genesis 9:13, He set his rainbow in the clouds. Rainbows broke out all over the Carolinas, from Lake Wylie to Raleigh, God’s prisms of hope stretched out in every direction!! And just so I wouldn’t miss them, my friends - knowing that I had a special thing for rainbows, were sending me pictures of the rainbows they were seeing all over the place!! It was a spectacular show of God’s beauty and if refracted sunlight could be love – then I was definitely being loved!!

Lake Wylie, March 24

Kannapolis, March 24

Albemarle, March 24

Mt. Holly, March 24

West Charlotte, March 24

Gastonia, March 24

Monroe, March 24

Lake Norman, March 24

 It was on this date 6 years ago that a local photographer happened to be in the perfect spot when the most awe-inspiring, massive, massive rainbow completely encircled the skyline of the city! Queen City Charlotte placed the magnificent crown of color atop her majestic head in her coronation, dazzling in the eyes of all her beholders! The photographer captured an image that spread all over social media – and by that evening the local weatherman featured the photo on the news.   (I have heard there is a very large print of that rainbow on the wall in the office of the weatherman.) I’ll never forget the day!

Charlotte, March 24

The dark clouds cleared away and the rain stopped. I went outside just to see if I could catch a glimpse of any rainbows myself. They were all gone. But I looked into the most beautiful sky of Carolina Blue that I had ever seen, filled with fluffy, crisp white clouds. The sun was setting and the glittering yellow rays of Old Sol gave way to fiery gold blazing through the trees on the horizon. The day was winding down – minutes ticking, ticking, ticking away on this date 6 years ago.  I was so tired but I was resting comfortably in the arms of the Holy Spirit. I finally prayed myself to sleep.

Huntersville, March 24

That night 6 years ago Matthew had spent the night with friends. The next morning I went to pick him up. And just like I remember well “on this date” 6 years ago today, 6 years ago tomorrow is also one I’ll never forget.  Matthew was happy to see me when I walked in – but his smile faded away. “You said you weren’t going to leave Nana while she was in the hospital”, he said. Concern spread over his face – I could see worry in his precious eyes.  And I knew that he knew.

“Well,” I said. “I need to…”

“Nana died, didn’t she?”, he interrupted me with tears spilling down his puffy cheeks.

I was crying too – I couldn’t really get any more words out. We sat down on a love seat in our friend’s sunroom. I hugged him as he cried for his beloved Nana. I didn’t say anything to him – it was just silent except for him snubbing into the armpit of my shirt. I didn’t know what to say at a time like that. It was the first time the boy had experienced loss and I didn’t want to do or say anything wrong – so I just didn’t say anything at all. I just waited on him to speak next.

He looked up at me. I was expecting him to ask me “where did she go” or “will he ever get to see her again” – you know, the stuff that kids ask at a time like this. But instead he asked me “When did she go?” I wasn’t exactly sure of the time  - and wasn’t exactly sure he even had a good concept of time? To me the question was weird.

Knowing those rainbows had covered the Carolinas the day before, I just took a chance hoping they also showed up in Belmont where he was staying… “Did you happen to see that big rainbow in the sky yesterday?” I asked him.

His eyes widened, “YES!” he responded.

“I was hoping you did”, I told him. “As soon as Nana got to Heaven she sent you that rainbow – just to let you know she got there ok.”

He smiled.  And then he questioned, “Why would she send ME a rainbow?”

I smiled back and said “Why would she send it to anyone else?!”

On this date – March 24, 2012 – God covered the sky with Becky’s Rainbow and I’ll never forget it!

Sunrise, March 25