“I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with everything that lives. Never again will there be a flood that will destroy all life.” Genesis 9:13-15 (NLT)
It was October 1982, I had buried my father back in August and took mother to live with my family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada where I had accepted a new pastoral appointment. Although Bobbie and I had left Eastern Canada to care for Mom and Dad during his illness, we were sure that this pastoral move was the Lord’s will.
Two days after arriving in Calgary, with family and U-Haul in tow, a snow storm struck with frigid temperature and howling wind. Such winter storms occurred again over the next several weeks. Then one morning, the Smiths awoke to a quiet calm. When Bobbie and I looked out our window toward the west, we saw a unique sight. Hovering over the Canadian Rockies, ninety miles away, an arch curved eastward into the clouds. On the eastern front of this arch, the clouds looked as if they were swept into a roll or bank. Behind that curvature of rolled clouds was the most beautiful blue sky one could behold. Later, we learned that this was a “Chinook,” (warm air from the Pacific ocean). The easterly wind currents slammed this warm air into the Rockies creating an upsurge, which then whipped over the mountains and swooped down upon Calgary. The effect, usually, was a rise in temperature of fifteen or more degrees. It was like having a heat wave in the middle of winter. Snow melted and ran in the streets. Some people even would put on their summer swimwear and lay out in the sun.
The “Chinooks” were a huge relief to the winter blues. When the winter became bitter and unbearable or cabin fever began to overwhelm us, we welcomed those Chinooks. They reminded us of God’s love and care. They taught us that we were not alone and gave us the strength to endure until the spring thaw.
Dear Father, thank you for the grace and mercy of your rainbow covenant. Thank you for your love and comfort in the winter seasons of our lives. Thank you for joy and warmth of your presence. Empower us to raise the temperature of our spiritual experience. Enable us to endure to the end. I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his covenants and live in faithfulness,
Pastor Smith