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You may recall I spoke of a problem with the exhaust on our campervan. Well, it seems I’m not a mechanic either!

We had accepted our week away in the van was lost., but suddenly, the day before we were to go confusion on the matter was cleared, the van was with the mechanic and yes, in no time, problem solved!

We travelled up to the west coast in the highlands of Scotland in our campervan. It was beautiful, but Tuesday evening brought the inevitable stormy weather.

By Wednesday, we concluded that the trip was doomed, packed up and headed home.

Suddenly, as we sought a place to spend Wednesday evening, the weather cleared and we found a beautiful spot.

Thursday saw us on the beach with the dogs. The most wonderful and peculiar thing happened. A rainbow appeared. It was no more that 20 feet away, so low, short and vibrant it simply stopped us in our tracks as we stood in awe.

Both ends of the rainbow were clearly visible, although sadly, there was no pot of gold.

However, there was something significantly more valuable. A reminder the rainbow was the sign of the promise of God’s love. He was, He is with us!

In contrast to the day before, we were sitting looking out to sea and enjoying ice cream.

We went on to enjoy a wonderful week of relaxing on various beaches enjoying the sunshine.

The Lord is good indeed. He knows our needs. He provides to all who will trust him enough to let him. He made us and placed us above all of creation, that is a thought in itself!

God tells us He knows the plans He has for us, plans for a wonderful future, a beautiful life, not plans to harm us or cause us any kind of pain, suffering or anxiety. We must ask why we have these things then.

His word, and his moral code provides us with the life and society we long for.

We ignore it and insist on doing things differently.

However, in His great love for us, his children, he provided even more. Jesus, who gave himself to bring us back to him and his way. Thus, ensuring an indescribable future free from all that tarnishes our life and world. You are beautifully made. You have wonderful gifts and talents. But He is the expert and we should learn to enjoy all He has given us with gratitude. Trust and follow Him, glad He is leading us to even more.

The Reverend Peter McCool is pastor at South Sheffield Church, Greenhill Parkway, Lower Bradway.