April Morning | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: April Morning | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ann FitzHenry
05/21/06
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Like millions of mothers everywhere, I am responsible for the morning routine. As a combination drill sergeant and train conductor, I attempt to get everyone up, dressed and out the door on time. Unfortunately, it is a thankless mission that isn’t always successful. On one particular morning, as I negotiated the usual chaos, time and patience were in short supply. Consulting my watch I anxiously called up the stairs, “Hurry up! Let’s go! Are you ready yet? Do you have everything? Don’t forget your jacket!”

In the ensuing rush out the door, my three-year-old son tugged at my sleeve and pleaded, “Rainbow, Mommy, rainbow!” With my thoughts racing about daycare and work, I almost didn’t acknowledge him. I glanced up at the sky with “that’s nice, honey” waiting on my lips when I stopped in reverent silence. A majestic double rainbow, illuminated in the mist with a vibrant spectrum of light, sparkled in the west. Blazing across the morning sky, the arc hugged the horizon. The ends, just out of reach, touched the ground with radiant splendor. God’s beauty stretched like a banner as images of leprechauns and pots of gold danced in my imagination. Time stopped as we marveled at the iridescent colors suspended in the atmosphere. Our earthly obligations vanished, as we stood transfixed staring at the heavens. For several awestruck minutes, we rejoiced in God’s reassurance that His Hand holds all of our tomorrows.

With our thoughts floating in the stratosphere, the clang of a distant garbage truck sent us careening back to Earth. In regretful silence we averted our gaze and succumbed to our worldly responsibilities. Piling into the car, we wordlessly said “good-bye” to the rainbow. Driving through our neighborhood, we encountered women in housecoats and men with morning newspapers staring at the sky. Several people clutched cameras capturing the rainbow’s brilliance. As we motored passed the elementary school, a crossing guard gestured in urgent inquiry. An excited thumb up was our enthusiastic reply.

Under the guise of an ordinary morning, God reminded us of His profound presence in the world. For one moment in time, we were a community of believers rejoicing in the early morning sunlight. While the city slept, a chosen few shared the exhilaration of seeing God’s miraculous gift. The hustle and bustle of life paused for an instant as we looked to the heavens. In a world where there is not enough time for kissing toy lizards and playing in sandboxes, God made us stop and consider what was really important. In the still dawn of an April morning, we shared His joy and discovered we had already found our pot of gold.

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