Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV

Last year when we were cleaning up trees that had been knocked down during Hurricane Sally, we noticed that the limbs of the chinaberry tree looked like a rainbow when they were cut in half. I immediately knew that I would do a rainbow block, andI knew exactly how it should be done. As soon as we were back in the barn, I made this block, but it’s been sitting on a shelf for a year. To tell you the truth, I don’t know why we didn’t just get them made and up on the website. It just wasn’t God’s timing, I guess. That’s the only explanation that I have.

Every couple of months I would tell Brad that I needed to start working on the rainbow blocks. And still the logs sat there. Finally, a couple of weeks ago Brad sliced them for me and I sanded them. And they sat. Until yesterday.

Before I tell you about yesterday and show you the photos, I want to share a few things with you. The rainbow is a symbol of hope for many things. And that is wonderful. I don’t take that away from anyone. However, for me, the rainbow will always be a symbol of hope after a family has experienced a miscarriage or infant loss.

Did you know that 10-15 known pregnancies out of a 100 end in miscarriage? You may not have because we, as a society, tend not to talk about it. This is not a new phenomenon. We have been experiencing miscarriages, infertility, and infant and child loss from the beginning. For thousands of years….and we still have a hard time talking about it. And it is still as devastating. Every. Single. Time.

I want to talk about it.

I just finished working my three shifts at the hospital and I usually have a hard time the next day recovering. I’m really tired and my legs just don’t want to carry me anymore. I didn’t really look at Facebook, just got up and ate breakfast and slowly made my way to the barn. I finished the last Song of Solomon cross that was on my list, and I looked at the stack of rainbow blocks. I’ve had them prepped and ready for at least a week. I had no more excuses.

When I got started, I knew exactly why I had put off making this block. I started thinking about all of my friends that have experienced a loss. And Mother’s Day is coming up. I felt such sorrow for them. Not pity, but sadness. Broken heartedness. Heaviness. Then I had to burn in the word HOPE. How do you keep hope alive when you are so sad? There’s only one way, FAITH.

I have been so priveledged to have people in my life that have so much faith and so much hope. They have taught me so much about perseverance and the love they have for our Lord. It is truly amazing.

I finished the first block yesterday evening. While I was standing in the finish room, I told Brad that I think there is going to be a rainbow outside. We rushed to the window but didn’t see anything. But the sky was perfect for one. Still nothing. About 15 minutes later, we were heading to my parent’s house for dinner and the sun popped out from behind the clouds. So bright. We looked to the dark sky and waited, patiently. God did not disappoint. There it was, a rainbow. And with a sun dog! We tried to get a photo for ya’ll, hope you can see it.

Last evening, I realized (after finally looking at Facebook) that yesterday was Bereaved Mother’s Day. I know it sounds strange to say Happy Bereaved Mother’s Day, but this day allows those mama’s to share that they are Mamas and they get to say their children’s name out loud. We want to hear your child’s name. Say it loud!!!

I don’t believe in coincidences. I worked on this block when I was supposed to, and here, in our neck of the woods, there was a rainbow. A Rainbow of Hope, for all the Mamas.