Sitting on the beach last week I had lots of time to simply look at the ocean and the clouds. I noticed things I’ve never noticed before, including some amazing clouds. It was fun to imagine that the clouds were shaped like a variety of objects, something that occupied hours on summer days laying on the grass with friends. But I never noticed a cloud with the prism colors of the rainbow like the one below. It looked about like a rainbow-colored shrimp.
I did a bit of research and learned that these are iridescent clouds, a fairly rare phenomenon. The clouds aren’t colored. Tiny ice crystals and water droplets in the cloud cause sunlight to diffracted or bent in such a way that it spreads out into its spectral colors.
Clouds are not mentioned in the book of Genesis (beginnings), the first book in the Bible, until after the flood. In Genesis 9:12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant (promise) that I make between you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds and it shall be a sign of covenant (promise) between me and the earth.”
Whenever I see a rainbow (and now an iridescent cloud), I am reminded that God keeps God’s promises. A sign of God’s presence and promise gives me hope as I head to Pittsburgh tomorrow for my sister Jane’s graveside memorial service and burial.
Thanks, God, for these reminders of your presence and promise when I least expect them. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 