Sometimes I realize I'm way out of touch with the news. Other times I listen to the news or watch it on television and am quickly reminded as to why I don't.

Three stories struck me this week. The first was of a three year old little girl who was abducted from her home in northern California, an Amber Alert was issued, and thankfully she was discovered walking along a road (11 hours later). The disturbing part was that she wasn't wearing any clothes.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/02/BALF167OL1.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea.

The second story was of the four men who had been missing at sea. One man rescued, three remain unaccounted for and the search for them, abandoned.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/06/missing.boaters/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

And lastly, the story from Maryville, Illinois. A man entering a church and taking the life of a preacher....

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/08/church.shooting/index.html

Three stories...

...sometimes I think I'm better off not hearing about things like these
but

...sometimes I need to hear them. To take time and be thankful for what I have

...sometimes it's a reminder to pray for the evil and sadness throughout the rest of the world.

And then there are those days, when regardless of what is going on all around you or even within you, you can see a glimmer of hope.

"And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth.""
Genesis 9:12-16

As a child, I distinctively remember being taught this story and thought about how incredibly cool it was that God specifically designated a rainbow to remind us of His promise.

...and as a child, perceived it as a promise that He would never again flood the earth.

...today, I read it a bit differently.

I understand that Scripture is Scripture, and that how it reads is how God intends for it to be perceived.

But when I saw these rainbows this week I couldn't help but think about all of the other promises God has made with us.

"So don't worry, because I am with you. Don't be afraid because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you." Isaiah 41:10

"Now this is what the Lord says. He created you, people of Jacob; he formed you, people of Israel. He says, "Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flames hurt you."" Isaiah 43:1-2

Most people would probably question as to why this picture has been a favorite of mine, for a few reasons...

The obvious reason is the rainbow in the side-view mirror. But if you look closely, under the rainbow, there is what appears to be a telephone/utility pole with two beads of rain drops on both sides forming what almost resembles a cross. Above the mirror is a "Do Not Enter" sign. Irony? ...or could it simply be God?

I still haven't decided if I want to tune into the news on a daily basis. But I do want to continue to be thankful for what I have...

Aside from the sadness revealed in the media, I presently have a new roommate. One that I love dearly and am excited to see more of. I was able to watch him perform again this weekend and continue to be amazed with his talent. Along with that, I had the opportunity to hang out with my parents for the day and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I am blessed beyond measure that God created me to be a part of them.

I chatted with a very dear friend and am anticipating that we will have the opportunity to spend some time together soon.

And I have been reminded that God gives us rainbows...at exactly the right time.