Rainbows

 

It probably wasn't raining when Noah started building the ark.  

I'm sure there were many times when it did start raining and he would wonder if this was it. 

I wonder if at those moments he began to panic a bit and swing his hammer a little faster. 

Or if he just continued in steady obedience. 

Regardless, he did as he had been instructed.  

He prepared.  

We have been told to build our own "arks" both through temporal storage and wise stewardship and spiritual self-reliance. 

This is a commandment I have personally kept to various degrees at various times.  It's a commandment that brings a sense of peace in knowing the calamities of the world don't have to impede our ability to provide for our children. 

It's a commandment I saw modeled well by my parents and many good examples.

But it doesn't just bring peace.  As Sister Barbara B Smith said, "Noah and his family must have been able to plan and provide in such a way that they could find pleasure in their efforts (selecting just the right two of each animal), adventure in their voyage (surely there were new little furry creatures almost weekly), and joy as the splendor of the very first rainbow filled the sky, and the Lord’s promise was fulfilled."

Pleasure. Adventure. Joy.

Are we enjoying the journey through obedience?   Do we work together as families and celebrate our progress? Do we find the wonder and awe in the fulfillment of His promises? Even in spite of the difficulties we encounter? 

Have we taken the opportunities to fill our pantries even if it's one extra tuna can each week? Have we increased our skills and learned to do things on our own? 

Sister Smith further prompted, "Could we be as diligent today? Can we as women be accountable and help meet the great challenge of economic stress by our wise stewardship over that with which the Lord has blessed us?"

Can we see his promise smiling down on us as we look to the beauty of the rainbows in our lives?