Rainbows in Heaven

This is our cute little church in Olathe, which is across the street from our neighborhood. As I was driving out of my driveway today it was pouring. All of the sudden the sun came out, but it continued to rain...perfect rainbow conditions. I looked around, and there it was...right over the church! I stopped in the middle of the road and took this picture with my phone. Luckily no one drove up behind me. This was one of the only rainbows I've ever seen that touched the ground on both sides. It was a perfect arc! I was fortunate enough to be able to watch it for the next 25 minutes of my drive (well...actually I alternated watching the rainbow and watching the road in case you are a little concerned about my son's safety while I drive).

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but whenever I see a rainbow, I have a hard time not looking at it. It's the same thing with waterfalls, mountaintop views, and a perfectly open rose. Some things are so beautiful and so perfect that I am almost afraid to look away - afraid I might not see anything like that again.

Or maybe it's not fear that keeps me staring, but rather a longing. Something inside me longs to live in a place where I can see such captivating beauty everyday. Why can't I live in a place where I look out the window and see mountains, turquoise oceans, and rainbows?

And then I remember that this is not my home.

My true home is in heaven.

I believe God gives us longings when looking at his beautiful creation to remind us of our true home.

I can't stop looking because that rainbow looks like the place where I belong...

my true home

my goal

and the place where I will see the face of the One who is my prize.

"He has also set eternity in the hearts of men." - Ecclesiastes 2:25

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14