The Reminder of a Promise

Last Wednesday, I was driving into town when I noticed a sliver of a rainbow of to the right. "How beautiful," I thought and kept on driving. The farther down the road I got, the more I noticed the rainbow. The clouds began to break and I realized that I was seeing a glorious range of colors that spanned the road.

Below, a picture I tried to take while stopped at a light.


On turning to another highway, the clouds dissipated and the rainbow grew clearer. Absolutely beautiful. I had to wait until I parked to get this picture, so the trees got in the way. But imagine a full rainbow, like one you'd see in a cartoon. :-)

"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds,
I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind.
Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."

Genesis 9:14-15

An Unexpected Conversation

Here I am in my friendly, neighborhood bookstore mega mart. Trying to get out of the house and take advantage of free wi-fi while I do a little work.

It looks as though there are several others doing the same. Laptops, ipods and text books seem to be the order of the day. Who knows? Maybe I sit among industrious college students or those with the freedom to work virtually. Perhaps I sit with the unemployed masses, searching for jobs over the world wide web.

Either way, I was delighted to look up from my screen, take out my earbuds and greet a dear friend.

An hour later, I'm encouraged. Our conversation was serious, though there were laughs aplenty.

There's something to be said for sharing from the heart. The emotions and feelings that can be trusted to a dear friend. Knowing that whatever is said will be taken solemnly. Knowing that prayers will be offered in earnest.

Thanks for taking the time to talk, friend.

A Name So Sweet

Memories...

In 1924, a ten year old boy could walk the marshes of Charleston and find all kind of treasure. If he happened upon a soft shell crab, it was a treasure indeed. The kind that could be sold to the chef at The Francis Marion Hotel for $.75.

How do I know? My grandfather was one of those young boys. He told me all about the entrepreneurship of his youth a few months ago. It was a good memory for him.

Of course over 96 years, not all of the memories are good. Some were sad, some were repentant, some were blissful.

I am blessed that my memories of my grandparents are all good. I'm sure that my parents, aunts and uncles have a few that they would rather not pull out. Truthfully, there are some I'd rather not hear about.

I've always been an optimistic realist.

Regardless, today I have the privilege of celebrating 96 years of a man's life.

Happy Birthday Grand-Daddy.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~Romans 8:38-39