Hidden with us

On Monday, Heaven and I started the week, and the month, with a rainbow here at L's bend. That sign of God's everlasting presence and promise felt like more than enough blessing and gift... but God, never to be outdone in generosity, clearly decided one wasn't enough...

Earlier this evening, after a sudden, especially heavy deluge, I noticed the quality of the light - 'rainbow light' - and sure enough, there was the second rainbow of the week! Fainter than Monday's, for several minutes it played peekaboo with the still-heavy clouds, at times seemingly swallowed up by them, only to mischievously reappear - still faint, but still unmistakably there. There were a few times when I assumed the rainbow had disappeared; but no, it was still there, albeit hidden from sight. And I thought of all the times and ways in which God can seemingly hide, or disappear from our view - the times of darkness, and doubt, and aridity in prayer; the times when Faith alone, and memory, tell us that God is always, constantly there, even when hidden by clouds. 

And... Truly, you are a God who hides himself... (Isaiah 45.15)

Unlike God, though, rainbows are finite, and do eventually disappear. I turned away from the window, back to what I'd been doing. Fifteen or so minutes later, after a bit more rain, that quality of light returned - and yes; so had the rainbow! Was it a new one, or the same one, which had always been there, hiding behind the thick, grey clouds? 

After a couple of minutes this rainbow began to dissolve into the greyness behind it, and I left the window again. But something drew me back; a sudden brilliance of light... and this time, radiant and shimmering, and gloriously clear... not one, but two rainbows, arching high above! God's fidelity and everlasting covenant, doubly pledged, causing a sudden surge of quiet joy, and a chuckle at God's playfulness. And how many times does God surprise us, with a suddenness of clarity and assurance; an unsought blessing, or a grace we didn't know we needed?

And even after this double rainbow had disappeared, I could still see a trace of iridescence; a reminder of presence. And... Truly, God is hidden with you... (Jerusalem Bible translation of Isaiah 45.15). Not hidden from us - never away from us: always with us, among us, beside us, within and around us; whether seen or unseen.

What helps you to know God's unwavering presence, hidden with us?