Our actions often reveal our ‘True Colors’

Remember that ’80s song — if you’re of an age — “True Colors” released by Cyndi Lauper? It has repeating lines, “But I see your true colors Shining through I see your true colors And that’s why I love you …” The song’s message is that underneath the other person’s discouragement and unhappiness their “true colors” are beautiful.

Weeks into “The Great Pause” as someone has termed it, I’m finding out what’s in the basement. We’ve got a 16-year-old granddaughter in a municipal area whose true colors are presently disillusioning. She’s a gadder — she breathes music and friends and she’s got a car. Don’t mess with her social life.

I was instantly angry when I found out she went to visit a friend the minute said friend returned from a trip to Florida. There are multiple siblings in her household — plus one parent who potentially falls into the “underlying health conditions” category with this virus.Something revealing happened when I learned about our granddaughter. I had a coloring card I was going to color for her and stick in a letter — surprise her with some real mail during this time of restriction. The card says, “Sing, it makes the heart happy.”

When anger hit me over her selfishness and inconsideration I immediately didn’t want to send her any mail, especially not any coloring “love note.” I was shocked at how quickly I was ready to withdraw love. It was almost like she wasn’t the same person I had in my mind.

But she was and is. Those “true colors” have been there all the time. And — just as regrettable — so have mine.

I learned a long time ago the enemy who stalks me is disillusionment. When I become disillusioned I turn cold. It’s a hidden trap — and when it springs the loser is love.

The Bible says this about love, “Love is patient, love is kind … it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered …”

I have a decision to make. While I may not be able to do a whole lot about the grand-girl’s attitude, my own is open for a reconstruct. This is a chance to take my true colors deep — to put them into that coloring card — and mail it with love.