About Colors

About Colors by Betty Fritz

Judging by the events of this past week, Americans seem to be obsessed with color. From the color of our skin … the red white and blue of the Confederate flag… to the colors of the rainbow, events have left some of us blue from sorrow, green with envy, or so mad we’re seeing red. As my mother-in-law used to say when something didn’t sit well with her: “It leaves a dark brown taste in my mouth.”

“Black lives Matter” has become a popular phrase among the blacks who feel they are being sought out and mistreated by the police. It’s true, black lives do matter…but so does every other life …in spite of the victim’s color. Every life matters to somebody…most of all it matters to God. Life is a gift that no one should ever take for granted. All our days are numbered and every hair on our heads counted. God is aware of our comings in and our goings out. He tells us over and over in His word how much He loves us. Why do we have such a problem accepting Him at His word?

As people, we need to understand that EVERY life matters. But what else can we do? We have programs and organizations that were created for the purpose of promoting equality. Most jobs are available to and held by any one who is qualified. Education and opportunity is available to all who desire it. Not every one is able to afford the price put on some of the services that are offered, but if one is willing to put out a great deal of effort, most any dream can be obtained…even becoming President of the United States.  Red tape is sometimes a problem, but like with rules, there are exceptions that can be made in many cases and obstacles can be overcome. Perhaps black people, especially those who have overcome their circumstances and found success, need to unite and work with their young people to help them to achieve the same. We could all work together to insure the advancement of ALL races.

Then we come to the flag issue: The colors of the confederate flag mean the same thing as those of our American flag: White stands for purity, Red stands for hardiness and valor, Blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice….All things important to every American. Because of the offense some suddenly decided to voice about this flag and its use during the civil war, it has become the symbol of hatred and some feel it needs to be done away with completely. But will doing away with a flag…a flag which some consider a symbol of pride and perseverance more than anything else…put an end to the hatred?  After all, had it not been for the civil war might not there still be slavery? Maybe it should be looked at more as a symbol of freedom for the black people. Maybe we….people of all colors….simply need to forget about the sins of the past and get busy trying to create a better future for our children and grandchildren.

The question of whether or not to fly this flag over a state building quickly escalated into having it removed from store shelves and online sites. This of course has caused an uproar almost to the point of causing another war. Surely we can compromise and find a way to satisfy most of us. Simply  to remove it from the state buildings should suffice, but to eradicate it entirely is not necessary.

The most controversial issue of all was the long-awaited decision of the Supreme Court judges concerning same-sex marriage. This one decision, made by only five out of nine judges, makes a mockery of God’s law and His plan for mankind. How we, as Christians, ever allowed our Father’s influence to fall so far from the mark is beyond me. Satan has really been working over time to insure that this issue went his way. Contrary to what the President said, in NO way, was this a victory for America. The ramifications from this decision are sure to cause America to suffer in many ways….especially we Christians and the church will suffer because of our negligence in upholding God’s laws and influencing others for Christ. It has left a black spot on our nation that hopefully can and will one day be removed. Until then, we must live with the consequences. Proverbs 16:25 says: “There is a way that seems right to a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Some of us feel that the rainbow and its colors should have nothing to do with promoting a life-style God clearly doesn’t approve of. It was meant as a promise that the world would never again be destroyed by water.  For the White House to be lit up with these colors showed only respect for a select few and no consideration at all for the many opposed to the court’s decision.

Had the people been allowed to vote the outcome most likely would have been different. We can only pray that in the next presidential election every person who has an opinion and is able to vote will do so. Christians should turn out in droves to elect a President who truly will represent the interest of the people….and who will put the will of God even before that.

In all these situations, there’s something much more important to consider than colors.  The hearts and souls of the people involved are what should concern us most. God’s laws, or His love for us, has not changed. We must continue to acknowledge Him and do our best to show His love to an unsaved world. Laws of man cannot diminish the power in the name of JESUS!

My name is Betty Fritz. I was born and raised in Texas but have resided in Elkhart, Indiana for the last 25 years. My husband is a Hoosier so that’s how we wound up here. We have two daughters and a son plus 6 grand kids…..3 boys and 3 girls.

I retired last year after working for 24 years at Elkhart Child Development Center. I’ve been writing since a teenager and have taken several writing courses. I enjoy writing short stories. I wrote a book of poems, RHYMES OF THE TIMES, which was published a few years ago. I have written countless songs, a few for which demo recordings have been made. Recently I’ve been writing blogs..most of them about my faith and things the Lord has taught me in my Christian life over the last 51 years. My inspiration comes from my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and my desire to see that my grand children grow up in a Christian nation. My goal is to bring glory to Him and help others to see that there is POWER in the name of JESUS!