The Dirt Rainbow

Today I woke up pretty "down". There are many changes going on in my life, many questions and situations I just don't understand. I was being a bit grumpy with everyone and being a party pooper. The day was on my side, it was kind of gloomy. Puerto Rico is an awesome place where weather is quite "bipolar". There was a hint of sun in the sky but the clouds were kind of dark and billowy. We all piled into the car and set out to do some errands. I was getting cranky at my husband's driving and my two sons were contently smiling in the back seat. The little one (3 year old)loves being in the car, no matter where it's heading, and my eldest (17) was excited about the new helmet we were about to purchase (to match his new "birthday blessing" bike). I was just being negative and feeling defeated (yes, I ,too, am human). Suddenly, my husband starts doing something that REALLY gets on my nerves, honking while at a stoplight (the SECOND it turns green)! I was NOT a happy camper... then Ian (3 year old) screams, "Mommy, mommy! Look!" I look around to see what is wrong. He continues to insist, "Mommy, look at it right there, it is beautiful!" For the life of me, I could see NOTHING of beauty ANYWHERE near me! He pointed straight forward and yelled, "It's a rainbow, mommy! A rainbow!" I looked through the windshield and only saw grayish billowy clouds in the distance. I searched and searched and NOTHING! He continued pointing saying, "It's so pretty, mommy, the rainbow! Look, there are two!" Now all of us are looking around for this mysterious "rainbow". Not a bow in sight! Then all of the sudden, my heart is full of hope and wonder... I finally saw the rainbow! It had been a rainy week and the car had been splashed with muddy water several times. It was right in front of me, the streaks the wipers made from the muddy water on our windshield had formed two perfect dirt bows. Here, I was looking for the colorful, cheerful and pretty rainbows we all know and love... and all along, Ian was admiring the dirt rainbows on our windshield. I had to smile and realize... he was able to see the beauty of the dirty windshield and was utterly amazed that there were two "rainbows" there. My mood lightened and my heart felt the joy of someone who finally can see the "rainbows" on the dirty windshield... Thank you Ian, for seeing beauty in the simple and even dirty things. Just a reminder, if you are having a bad day... there are still reasons to smile, live and hope. Look for the rainbows! Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17 - 18