I Cry in Colors
-Brenda Graff
I once read a beautiful poem my daughter, Amanda wrote when she was about 9 years old. It was comparing emotion to colors. I was astounded at her ability to write with such clarity in discussing such depth in feelings. I'd share it, but feel that one day that poem will be published. My son, Cody who is now 12, often says that he relates the color red to anger. There is much truth to that. Feelings can be affected by viewing certain colors.
For Example:
The Prison Service started investigating the possible impact of calming color schemes after the riots at Strangeways, Manchester, in 1990. Color specialist Angela Wright, who has worked as a consultant for the Prison Service in the past, says color has the power to influence behavior because of its "psycho-physical" effect. "Color is not just a visual phenomenon, it produces a physical reaction.
Blind people can distinguish between colors with their fingertips because of the energy different colors emit." Her "prison palette" includes purple for a chapel "to help contemplation", blues with a touch of yellow for study areas, and orange for the canteen.
Pink clink: Doors at Bronzefield are painted pastel pink "Orange is a mix of red, a physically stimulating color, and yellow, which lifts the spirits and stimulates self-confidence. Orange focuses the mind on physical comfort, for which food is vital. Pastel shades, which are being used in Bronzefield, are low intensity and so don't tend to elicit strong reactions, she says. They can be soothing though.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3790963.stm
I know this to be true as I was studying the psychology of Criminology, pink was often used in prisons for a calming factor.
Red was forbidden in some more potentially aggressive prisons.
When I was reminded of my daughter's palette of emotion poem, I thought of the crisis that has been hitting our country, the devastation of our nation through violence in the streets, lives lost, devastating storms, losses beyond measure, political ridicule, diseases, and even rioting religion. It is enough to make one want to pack up and soar to an island away from news media, messed up folk, and a very morbid and often confused society.
It literally makes my inner soul weep incredibly when I hear such news. I may not know a single person involved in whatever tragedy is being aired, but I feel it. Sometimes, I feel it so deeply, it can take sometimes days or months to just get the thought out of my mind, and yet it is in some way ever present.
I pray for them, I pray for the families. Often, I still ask... "God why?" Then when I see hope emerge out of those situations, or a community come together in love, uniting on a universal scale to aid those hurting, I cry for joy...so touched, so inspired, so in awe of God's Omnipresence. I cry for the black, I cry for the white, I cry for the immigrants lost in flight. Those trying to break free from their countries of famine, desolation, and abuse...my heart can find no reason or excuse to not shed that tear. My eyes have no distinction when it comes to nationality, race, or religion. My tears fall just the same, just as hard, just as painfully for them all.
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A photojournalist took this photo 4 Syrian child, thought he has a weapon not a camera so she Gave up ! https://twitter.com/NadiaAbuShaban/status/580457804810551296/photo/1 |
To look upon a nation, or a world without God, should make us cry in colors (no prejudice) and mourn as Neamiah did.
Nehemiah’s Prayer: 1:1-10
The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
He pleaded for the country, for forgiveness for the people, including himself and his family. (Nehemiah 1:5-10)
If anyone has the love of Christ within them, then how oh how can one profess it, and yet turn their eyes and hearts away? How can one get angry and refuse to help our foreign lands, our neighbors, and even those considered to be unlovable? Imagine Christ at the last supper, washing the feet of His enemies and dining with the very one that was going to deliver him to His own death? (John 13:1-17)
I believe that Christ tears must have been filled with the color red, not because of anger, but because His heart must have been pained for the soul that was about to be lost, the one that He entrusted, taught, shared with, loved with all He had within Him. Despite the pain, He kept on bleeding love till He finally bled out.
What color is your tears? Are they partial, impartial, and operating in their own opinion of who deserves to be loved, helped, or prayed for? Do we choose who deserves mercy, and or when we should bother to shed a tear in joining in another's sorrow? Are the tears filled with gray areas? Are there exceedingly dark hues overtaken by resentment, anger, or bitterness?
I Cry in Colors
The color of my tears have echoed out much sorrow.
They weep beyond the grave's of our nation's tomorrow.
I pray the Lord may see and hear our plea
for the ones who are praying and holding Him near...
to end and calm this country's fear.
May every soul that has a heart,
entrust our Lord and take a part
in serving in whatever way,
He has called us to pray today.
May the color of our tears produce a rainbow of resolution
to bring the love of Christ as the final solution.
May our tears be filled with mercy, and love that is true
within our nation and abroad as God has instructed us to do.
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