Welcome to Abundant Love, an eight day email series exploring God’s rich love for us through Scripture and story. Today’s devotional was written by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller and Erin Strybis.
“Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:8).
Reflection
One summer night in 2020, my son and I watch fireflies dance above the garden. The day was long, hot and frankly, exhausting, and I am delaying bedtime. Our eyes follow their tiny orbs of light blinking on and off above my tiger lilies.
We are four months into the pandemic. Thousands have died — people’s grandmas, great aunts, fathers, brothers. My husband’s business is at a standstill, and my work just announced upcoming layoffs. More than economic uncertainty, though, we miss seeing our people. Our son’s home with us for the time being, missing his classmates. We’ve canceled all our summer travel. Grief feels palpable.
Light rain begins, breaking the moment, spurring us into our nightly routine. As my son bathes in the tub I find myself distracted, scrolling social media. I don’t know why I do this sometimes, scroll on and on as if my phone contains answers to my nagging questions. I keep wondering, when will it all end — this bizarre pause in which we’re living? When will there be a cure? What is God doing here? And when will I regain the capacity to hope?
Now freshly cleansed and in his Paw Patrol pajamas, my son presses his nose against the raindrop-specked bedroom window, straining to see outside. “Mommy, the sky is yellow,” he says. Above his head I see the sky has shifted, a slant of light jutting into the pane.
Grabbing his hand, I say, “Come on buddy,” jogging us toward the front door.
“Mommy, what are we doing?” he asks, but I shake my head, not wanting to slow us down. I fling wide our cherry front door and, with him at my side, step out into the drizzle. I shield my eyes with my hand, searching, searching until, yes! Bands of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink peek out from behind city houses, arcing across the yellowed sky.
“Wow,” I say, a smile blooming across my face. God brought us a sign of hope tonight.
“Wow,” my son repeats. “This rainbow is pretty cool!”
Several months later, we’re still in need of rainbows. We still need signs of hope bursting into our lives. We’re longing to know that God is with us. That God is with us in this pandemic, the worry, the pain, the sickness and the healing.
In Genesis, a rainbow serves as the reminder of God’s promises to God’s people. After the flood, God places the bow of light in the clouds as the sign of the covenant between God and every living creature. That rainbow is our sign, too. A sign that God never gives up on God’s people.
There are other signs of hope from God as well: When you experience a moment of stillness, God’s promises are with you. When you receive the warmth of homemade food, God’s promises are with you. When you sing with others at church, God’s promises are with you. When you lift your voices in prayer, God’s promises are with you. When you take a bite of bread and a sip of wine, God’s promises are with you. When you feel a splash of water, God’s promises are with you.
Wherever you go, however you feel, look up. Take a deep breath. See the beauty of the sky. Feel the gift of this life. Remember that God keeps promises. Now and forever.
Questions to ponder
Make a list of all the signs of hope you see and experience. What promises has God shown you? Where are you waiting for God to act on a promise?
Practice
Dress for winter weather in your area and take a family nature walk. Together, look for signs of hope in God’s creation.
Prayer
God of light,
God of darkness,
keep me turning towards you,
even when I feel distant
even when I don’t know what to say.
Keep me centered on your promises,
promises of love, grace, forgiveness.
You are with me —
in the storm
in the calm
in despair
in hope.
You are with me
through the long night.
You are with me
at daybreak.
You whisper in the wind,
shine forth from the heavens,
reminding me of your presence
forever and ever.
Amen.
Thanks for joining us for day seven of your Abundant Love devotional.
We'll see you tomorrow for the final day of our series: The God who rescues you.