Editor’s note: Throughout July, we’re hosting 31 Days with St. Ignatius, a month-long celebration of Ignatian spirituality. In addition to the calendar of Ignatian articles found here, posts on dotMagis this month will explore the theme of “Finding God in the Unexpected.”
“Have you ever seen the rain comin’ down on a sunny day?”
As I glanced out the window, the old Creedence Clearwater Revival song came to mind.
It was a bright and sunny day, and it was pouring. As the droplets fell, they were illuminated and magnified by the golden glow of the afternoon sun. It appeared to be raining gold coins.
I stood transfixed, holding my breath as if any movement at all might somehow alert nature to my awareness of its beauty and stop the show altogether.
A neighbor, hugging her groceries to her chest, ran up her steps and slipped into her home. She’s missing it! I thought. But just as quickly as I had the thought, memories of prisms in my high school science class reminded me that she could not see what I was seeing, because her angle to the sun and rain was different from mine.
Another time, my husband and I were driving on a sunny day when it started to rain. It was about four in the afternoon. The sun was at an angle that illuminated the tire spray in such a way that all the spray behind each car’s tires in all five lanes became rainbows. Every car was turning out rainbows. It was absolutely spectacular. I asked my husband if he saw it. “See what?” he said. In the passenger seat, I alone was at an angle to the sun and rain to allow me to see the rainbows that formed as the sun shone through the road spray.
It was as if these beautiful phenomena were just for me. Both were so stunning that prayers of gratitude arose spontaneously from my heart. I imagine that St. Ignatius might remind me that it wasn’t as if they were for me; they were just for me. The God of Surprises is always seeking to rain down love upon each one of us. God always seeks to turn our eyes to beauty and gift us in ways we couldn’t even think to imagine.
For many, nature is that place where we most often notice God’s gifts. Have you ever experienced unexpected moments of transcendent beauty in nature?
Today in 31 Days with St. Ignatius, read Apple Picking and Discernment by Marina Berzins McCoy. When or where have you encountered God in the unexpected? Share with #31DayswithIgnatius on social media.
Thanks for this sumptuous spiritual treat.
Rebecca is blessed with a positive mindset.
Being able to see, feel, and experience God’s bounty
all the time and in all places is a massive grace.
Praise the Lord.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Lorelei! AMDG.
Yes Rebecca I have experienced that particular moment in time. Last fall I noticed rain drops on my freshly cleaned kitchen window. I went to the front of my home to see how much was falling. The rain was over the late afternoon sun came out. The October trees were in their glory. One that was behind my neighbor’s home had grown above the rooftop. The leaves were bright orange and gold, but the droplets made them even more magical. The swaying leaves showed me diamonds dancing in their movement. I watched as the sun was setting and saw the bright orange change to rust then brown and the diamonds disappeared. I called to my husband to capture the moments on his phone but he missed them. It was then I realized this moment was unique only for me. Maybe next year it might happen again and I might see God’s glory.
A few days later the leaves were gone. The tree was bare. The about a week later, I had heard an odd sound not really connecting until the following day. My beloved beautiful tree was cut down! God gave me a moment of his creation. To be present in the Presence and I was more aware how precious life and time is. We just have to connect to that awareness each day.
Hi Kristine,
How beautiful! You are clearly noticing God’s gifts and savoring them. “To be present in the Presence” is such a great way to articulate this kind of transcendent experience. Love it! AMDG.
Good Eye Rebecca. Your Bio says it all. “She works at seeing God on all things” Practice Makes Perfect !!! AMDG
Thank you, John! AMDG.
On a recent retreat I was swimming in the sea on a sunny day…
The sun was jumping and dancing like diamonds on the gentle swell.
I was reflecting with a verse from Isaiah that day, a verse I have stayed with for 40 years, ‘Out of the darkness I will bring rich treasures….’ There is still darkness 40 years on, but I stayed with the diamonds on my retreat.
Yes, I do believe those ‘diamonds’on the sea were directly for me.
Much gratitude 🙏🏽 you
AMDG
Hi Angie,
How wonderful! Sounds like you are noticing God’s gifts just for you!