Creekside Garden

Written July 7, 2026

As a little girl, my mom taught me that when you see a rainbow it is a symbol that God keeps his promises. Rainbows have followed me throughout life during times of uncertainty or new adventures. You might say that, of course, I’ve seen rainbows. But when I have been in need of a sign from God, that He is there and He has a plan, there is always a brilliant rainbow that stops me in my tracks and sends peace into my soul.

A particularly special rainbow appeared on our wedding day, after a rain shower cooled us off during our first dance on top of the Big Horn mountains. It’s been 6 years and people still remember the rainbow as the highlight of our wedding day. That rainbow was a symbol to me of God’s blessing on our marriage and a reminder of his promises. Wedding vows are broken, two sinners joined together in the sacred covenant of marriage need a Savior, and that first day God sent a rainbow as a reminder of His love and salvation.

Another big rainbow I remember is while we lived in our first apartment in Wyoming. The air often smelled like the neighboring feedlot and cigarette smoke; sand drifted in through the windows as the incessant wind pushed it through the seals. I was struggling with feeling out of place, feeling homesick, and wondering what God’s plan was for us. A big rainbow lit up the sky after a rare rainstorm and I remembered – God keeps His promises. His promise to protect, provide, and guide our footsteps along His way. Up the hills to the mountaintops and through the deepest darkest valleys, God will never leave nor forsake me.

God led us out of the land of the endless dust bowl, the land passed through 150 years ago by wagon trains filled with dreamers, and into what felt like paradise. Lodge Grass, Montana. We moved into a beautiful little home along the creek, I was pregnant with Caleb, Ben started his new job at John Deere, and we felt like the world at our fingertips. There were a lot of unknowns in the move, but we were filled with more hope and dreams than ever before. A big rainbow framed the sky above the big red barn soon after we arrived and God reminded me that He always keeps His promises. Little did I know, we were walking into a valley of struggle that would grow us up in many ways and teach me lessons I didn’t know I needed to learn.

I sat down to write because of the most recent rainbow. It was grand and glorious. It stretched from the mountains to the creek; it framed the trees, the green fields, and the rolling hills. It was so big we stopped along the road home to take pictures.

That day we had driven to look at a property a couple hours away. The property was in our price range, 20 acres, greenhouse, shop, lots of room for boys to have adventures. It needed work, but it looked like a cozy place full of character to call home. But something about it wasn’t right. Ben would have to quit working for himself and go back to the dealer because of the location. We have worked so hard to get the business where it is today that it doesn’t feel right walking away from it right now.

Driving home I was very discouraged, almost to tears. I have felt unsettled for so long; homesick for home. I have little things I want to do with a place of our own. Chickens, a garden, maybe a horse (or two or three). Little things that felt overwhelmingly impossible as we drove home that day.

A rainbow graced the sky, Ben stopped the truck and we got out. I felt a whisper in my soul “I always keep my promises”.

Peace soothed my heart and once again, I placed my hope in Him.

Sometimes hope feels like choosing courage, other days it feels like doing the next right thing.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” Romans 5:8

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

“But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” Psalm 71:14

Now I am teaching Caleb about the rainbow and what it means. It was a fun craft and very helpful with teaching him his colors. He loved it and gets very excited when he sees a rainbow in the sky.