The Color Purple

When we are feeling silly, my friends and I love to quote lines from The Color Purple – “it go rain on your head”, “Harpo! Who ‘dis woman”, “you just a big ole ____”, “You sho is ugly”, are just a few that we can quote from watching the movie over and over and over and over again.

The title line from The Color Purple came to mind when I was driving to work one day this week –“More than anything God love admiration…I think it [makes God angry] when you walk by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it”.

As I drive, I often marvel in God’s glory and how blessed I am to be able to enjoy it. The newness of the spring time -- everything fresh and green after a spring rain. The blooming flowers, birds chirping, clear blue skies, the light from a full moon at night AND in the early morning. And in the fall, all the beautiful colors in the landscape and trees – OMG!!! YOU ARE AWESOME.

Sometimes, when things are not going the way I want them to go, or as fast as I want them to go, I look out my office window to enjoy the scenery – bright green trees, the birds flying or dark clouds from an anticipated rain storm. All of these things remind me that there is so much more to life than what I’m fretting over.

My favorite hymn is “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. I used to just pay attention to the refrain – “I sing because I’m happy”; well, because I like to sing. But upon closer observation, I’ve come to enjoy the verse so much – “Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely, and long for Heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…”.

When I hear this song, I am also reminded of the fact that God has enriched our lives so much with His creations. He takes care of all of His creations – from the birds in the air, the fish in the sea, to the plants in the meadow.

 “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all of your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you…" -- Matthew 6:26-29

Why should we worry about trivial things when there is so much more that’s enjoyable in this life. I must admit that it is hard to have and maintain that kind of faith. As we often try to “fix” things instead of giving it to God. As our Pastor alluded to this past Sunday, the battle is not ours to fight. But we always try to fix it instead of waiting on God. Give it to God, and meanwhile, enjoy this glory that he has so graciously provided us.

Our God has created a wonderful, glorious, HOME for us to enjoy. We just have to take the time to notice the “color purple” in order to appreciate it.

 “O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom has thou made them all: the earth is full of your riches.” – Psalm 104:24.