Where there is rain there are also rainbows
Happy Thanksgiving! Did you enjoy your holiday? Thanksgiving was great in the Jones-Watts household. Even though our traditions continue to evolve and may not look like “true” repeated experiences yet, we enjoy each other’s company and celebrate all that we are thankful for just the same. Over the past few months, I’ve shared that the last year has been quite a difficult experience for me and my family. During our last conversation, I shared that during that year, one of our nearly crippling hurdles was a miscarriage. Additionally, we had some major challenges financially, disappointing experiences with work and business partnerships, daily spiritual battles for dear loved ones fighting for their lives, and more. You would think that from hearing about our grief, we’d find it hard to identify what we could be grateful for or celebrate our lives with gratitude. Ironically, for me at least, it’s been even easier to joyously celebrate how good, gracious, and giving God has been to us. After the downpours of rain, the seemingly damaging hurricanes, and life-altering tornadoes of life, God has given us a beautiful rainbow (several actually) to remind us of His mercy and love. In the moment, I tend to hate the rain; but boy I sure do love rainbows.
Have you ever heard of the term “rainbow babies”? It refers to babies who are born to an individual or family after experiencing the loss of a child from miscarriage, stillborn or neonatal death. My newborn son is a rainbow baby. He joined us nearly one year to the date after we miscarried his sibling early in pregnancy. In February, we were notified that we were pregnant. Diagnosed with a large bleeding ulcer located on the outside of the uterus, we were told the pregnancy was not viable. Three weeks later, the ulcer had disappeared (rainbow #1). At the same doctor’s appointment, the physician shared that now a fibroid tumor appeared in a somewhat precarious place uterus. By the next appointment, the tumor had doubled in size and then a second one had appeared all while I was continuing to bleed. To effectively monitor my health and that of the baby, doctor’s appointments became more frequent. At each appointment the baby grew, and his heartbeat remained healthy and strong (rainbow No. 2). By month 5, our bank accounts were nearly depleted to pay for doctor appointments we did not anticipate, and mental and emotional exhaustion began to set in. Additional stressors from work, managing business relationships, and helping loved ones through difficult transitions, created a perfect storm. We found ourselves drowning at best. And just like that, as if God himself heard our cries (um — He did), I stopped bleeding, the baby kept growing, weekly appointments stopped, financial stressors lessened, a business opportunity presented itself, and prayers for a family member seemed to be answered (rainbows No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, and so on).
You see, the rain never stopped; but neither did the rainbows. Sometimes we easily saw the rainbow — bright and brilliant with vivid colors streaming across the sky. Other times, the rainbows weren’t as visible, and a few were even invisible — but they were there. They. Were. There. I guess that’s why they say, “hindsight is 20/20.” Looking back, we tend to see the value of a hard experience, but in the midst of the experience we can only imagine how much better our lives will be on the other side. Maybe that’s why God gives us rainbows after the rain. Maybe it’s the best way to remind us of how purposeful the rain can be, its cleansing power, and that its not all bad.
Born in October, our newest son’s birthstone is opal or tourmaline — both are multi-colored or rainbow stones. Did you hear that? Baby was born in a month where his birthstone is a rainbow. One more time…a rainbow! On top of that, did you know that most of the opal in the world is produced in Australia, where seasonal rains make its creation possible. Rain is responsible for producing the rainbow-colored stone. Ha! I love it when God shows off!
During this holiday season, take time to recall the rain and your rainbows from the past year. Write them down — the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. Then sit, sit quietly and reflect on God’s goodness, grace, and mercy. Thank him for his love.
As we end this year, lets commit for the next year to document our experiences so that when we come to this time next November we can write out why we are thankful with clarity, joy, and deep gratitude, recalling our rains and our rainbows.
Gina Watts is a former resident of Fayette County, now living in Columbus, Ohio. She serves multiple communities as an advocate, educator, and leader. Follow Gina on Twitter @professorgmarie.