Have you ever found yourself thinking, “Once xyz happens, then my life will be easier and I will get more done!” For some moms, it’s “Once my kids go back to school,” and for some moms, it’s usually, “Once my kids are on break.” For me, it’s usually, “Once we are done serving” in some specific capacity. And yet I have never been to the other side of that rainbow! It’s quite humorous to look back at the long list of “hardships” that I thought would signal the end of all that hard work.

Like a leprechaun greedily searching for the pot at the end of the rainbow, we often place our hope and joy in getting over the hump of a difficult day. I find myself pushing through days, weeks, and months–clinging to the false promise that soon things will be easier. Easier for what? I want it to be easier to spend time in the Word, easier to disciple my children, easier to serve my church, easier to keep my home clean. But my hope is futile because I have no control over the circumstances of life. I’m so looking for the end of the rainbow and the pot full of leisure time that I never take in the beauty of the rainbow itself!

The truth is that a rainbow only appears when there are still remnants of the storm in the sky.

When my hope is placed in Christ, then I can better see the beauty of each moment. I can push through exhaustion and spend time in the Word because HE is my rest. I can diligently seek to keep my home clean and my family served because I know God is building my character and making me more like Christ through that process! I can rejoice when I meet these various trials, knowing that the testing of my faith produces steadfastness that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).

In the end, I have been dwelling on Philippians 4. And I know that this Scripture is specifically talking about God’s physical provision in our lives, but I can’t get it out of my mind in relation to my current situation! Whether I have an abundance of time, or none at all, I am seeking to be content where God has me. I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content…I know how to be brought low and how to abound…in any and every circumstance…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)