The Promise of Rainbows: Finding Faith in the Storms of Life
By Karen C. Wilkinson
Rainbows have always held a special place in my heart. They serve as a poignant reminder of God’s promises, a beacon of hope following the fiercest storms. Life’s difficulties can feel overwhelming and seemingly endless, but when followed by the breathtaking vibrancy of a rainbow, symbolizing God’s goodness and His enduring presence, it can bring renewed strength. This symbolism became especially significant to me during the tumultuous summer of 2021 in Florida.
A DIFFICULT SUMMER
Florida summers are notorious for their intense heat and frequent storms. While much of the United States relishes outdoor activities like swimming, collecting lightning bugs, and leisurely enjoying ice cream, we Floridians often seek refuge indoors from the scorching sun. That year, the oppressive weather seemed to mirror the surge in COVID-19 cases. As the rest of the world began to reopen, Florida faced an alarming increase in infections, and our time spent indoors likely contributed to this surge.
During this challenging period, my faith journey underwent a profound transformation. July brought not only suffocating heat but also the daunting challenge of navigating a world gripped by uncertainty and fear. With the daily news filled with rising cases and hospitalizations, my faith was tested and ultimately strengthened in ways I had never anticipated.
A DIAGNOSIS CLOSE TO HOME
My husband’s health crisis struck suddenly and with frightening speed. From the emergency department to the ICU, from mechanical ventilation to a Do Not Resuscitate status, the progression was relentless. Though I had asymptomatic COVID alongside him, I struggled to breathe as events unfolded. The hospital requested that I go home to retrieve the necessary documents to prove I was his medical surrogate.
Overwhelmed and in despair, I sat at our kitchen island, lost in thought. Suddenly, my rescue dog, Harley, began pawing frantically at the front door. This unusual behavior made me wonder if there was a critter outside or if she was unwell. With a sigh, I got up to let her out, grabbing my phone in case the hospital called.
Harley bolted out the door and ran around to the side of the house, whining towards the sky. I followed her and looked up to see a stunning rainbow and an angelic cloud formation. The sight was so breathtaking that I quickly aimed my camera to capture it. Seconds later, the scene vanished, and Harley returned to the door, not even pausing to relieve herself.
For a brief moment, I wondered if I had imagined the angelic figure in the cloud. But the photo on my camera confirmed it: an angelic figure with a rainbow seemingly emanating from it, landing right on our house. It felt like a divine sign of God’s protection over our home.
It felt like a divine sign of God’s protection over our home.
Visiting my husband in the hospital was often forbidden due to COVID policies, but I was called to his bedside each time he was near death. One particularly harrowing event, as his vital signs plummeted, the crash team filled the room, the pulmonologist barked orders, and I felt a rising panic. In my distress, I fixated on a walker in the corner of the room, wondering why it was there and feeling an irrational urge to hurl it through the window. Someone gently rubbed my back, trying to calm me.
A DIVINE SYMBOL
When the crisis finally passed, I drove home, a rainbow over the hospital and seemingly following me. Exhausted, I took a bath and crawled into bed. A text from a friend asking to share a message from God woke me. Though annoyed at being awakened, curiosity got the better of me, and I met her outside to avoid disturbing the dogs. She struggled to relay the message, finally blurting out, “David needs the walker.”
No one knew about my fixation on the walker, and my friend had no idea what her message meant. I broke down, sobbing, as I recounted the bedside event. It seemed God was telling me to hold onto hope, despite David’s critical condition.
It seemed God was telling me to hold onto hope,
despite David’s critical condition.
Friends reached out to the medical community on our behalf, exploring the possibility of a double lung transplant. Miraculously, one transplant center and one pulmonologist agreed to evaluate David. However, numerous obstacles, including Tropical Storm Nicholas, threatened to derail our efforts. The storm made flying dangerous, but there was a brief window of calm that allowed the transport team to extract David. In the rush, they forgot to call me. When I checked in, they informed me the helicopter was about to land and asked how quickly I could get to the hospital to sign consent. Living only minutes away, I could hear the helicopter circling as I rushed to the hospital.
At that exact moment, friends sent me photos of a beautiful rainbow over the Gulf of Mexico, symbolizing hope and divine intervention. David’s rescue was a testament to God’s presence in our lives, even amidst the darkest storms.
A DAY TO CELEBRATE
David was the recipient of a lifesaving double lung transplant in November 2021. He returned to work six months after major surgery and travels the world to teach other urologists how to perform a Urolift procedure. When celebrating his first “lungaversary,” God placed a stunning rainbow over our backyard where we had gathered friends to celebrate the miracles we received.
Through this journey, rainbows have become more than just a beautiful natural phenomenon; they are a divine reminder of hope, protection, and the enduring promises of God. In the midst of life’s fiercest storms, they remind us that God’s goodness will always shine through, bringing us comfort and strength when we need it most.
About Karen
Seventeen years ago, Karen Campbell Wilkinson, a graduate of The Ohio State University, gave her husband David the choice to medicate her or give her sunshine. Since that statement was made, Karen and her husband have resided in sunny Naples, Florida, with their two sons and rescue dogs. Having worked as a respiratory therapist for 15 years at Level One Trauma centers, she is experienced in the process of organ procurement and transplantation, as well as responding to emergent life and death decisions.
Karen’s book, On Borrowed Breath, is available in print and audio. Connect with Karen on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Visit her website and request her valuable (yet free!) guide, “Getting Your Affairs in Order.”