Rainbows

24 Jun

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”  ~ Maya Angelou

Some of you blame me for putting songs in your head after reading my reflections.  Well, today is certainly no different because I’m going there once again.  When I was watching The Muppets many years ago, Kermit sang The Rainbow Connection.  The lyrics begin with “Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what’s on the other side.  Rainbows are visions, they’re only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide…”

Rainbows have been a part of our culture for ages.  Stories of rainbows abound, from Genesis, when God fixed a rainbow in the sky to signify that he would not destroy the people by a flood ever again, to Ireland where the myth talks about finding a pot of Leprechaun gold at the end of a rainbow, to many other legends.

Rainbows often signify hope, contentment, reward, and comfort.  We could analyze rainbows and talk about how they’re nothing more than a reflection of light in water suspended in the air.  You could say that to a rainbow lover all you want and you will get a non-committal stare along with a nod seemingly saying, “Bless your heart.”

Angelou wants us to remember to look out for others.  Not everyone is as happy as we might be on any given day.  If you find someone glum and down in the dumps, be a rainbow.  That is, be a message of hope and comfort.  Words are very powerful and so is presence.  If you can speak words of comfort to a person, you will make a wonderful rainbow.  If there are no words coming to your mind, however, your very presence can be a comfort.

Do not fail to be that rainbow for others because you never know when you will need a rainbow in your own life.  “Someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me.”

FAITH ACTION:  Face the world with positivity today and share your positive attitude with those around you.