Kindling

kin•dling ˈkɪnd lɪŋ - [kind-ling]
–noun
1. material that can be readily ignited, used in starting a fire.
2. the act of one who kindles.


“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:6,7

Last Thursday morning God gave me the gift of a double rainbow. The first time God kissed me in this special way was when Steve and I were in Italy celebrating our 25th anniversary. We were staying in a great hotel overlooking Lake Garda and the mountains beyond. The only problem was that by Tuesday afternoon my 4 days in Italy had been cloudy, sometimes drizzly, and kind of grey. I knew the mountains were there across the lake because I could see their silhouettes behind the clouds and haze, but I had yet to really see them. I was feeling a little guilty for being disappointed – after all, here I was in Italy, celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary – it was the trip of a lifetime. So Tuesday evening before going to bed, I confessed my disappointment to God and asked if he might show me just a glimpse of the view I knew was there. Wednesday morning my heart sank a little as we awoke to another cloudy day, but on Wednesday evening a glorious thunderstorm rolled through. It poured. Then as the clouds were clearing away, I looked across the lake and saw this:







Somehow I knew God was telling me, “Wait until you see what I have in store for you!!”

The next day we were to travel up into those mountains I had yet to see from my window. Waking up expectantly for what the day would bring, I opened my curtains and saw the most breathtaking view! The storm that had poured on us the evening before had left a fresh coat of snow on the distant mountain peaks! Just in time! Lord, You are so generous and Your timing is always perfect!So, back to Kansas. Last Thursday morning when we were getting ready to come over to our new house to meet the moving truck, Steve opened the curtains to look out the window and said “Look, a rainbow!” I thought “that’s nice”, but I didn’t run to look. Then I heard Steve say, “No, there are two of them!”. That’s when I knew it was for me, and I ran to look and to say “Thank You, God”. The most amazing thing was that it hadn’t rained, nor did it that morning!
I believe God was confirming to me, to us, that we are in His plan, that He has a purpose for us here. So for the past week, whenever I have been tempted to get discouraged, when the hard parts of this move feel like a heavy load, I remember my double rainbow, my gift from God. And my hope and confidence in my new home is kindled afresh.