Most people consider purple a color for
royalty…and for older people. In the book of Acts, Lydia is the first convert
in Philippi. She was a merchant of expensive purple fabric (Acts 16:14). In
Daniel, King Bellshazzar offered a reward to anyone who could read the
handwriting on the wall. The king shouted
for the enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers to be brought before him.
He said to these wise men of Babylon, "Whoever can read this writing and
tell me what it means will be dressed in purple robes of royal honor and will
have a gold chain placed around his neck. He will become the third highest
ruler in the kingdom!" Daniel 5:7. Dressed in purple robes. Purple was
a dye color that was expensive to produce so anything woven or fabricated from
purple cloth was expensive. Maybe that is why it is considered a color for
older people to wear—they are the ones who could afford it in the “olden” days.
Here’s a poem about wearing purple that helped found the Red Hat Society—an
American organization for women primarily over 50.
Warning by Jenny Joseph, 1961
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
This poem doesn’t necessarily reflect the
ideals of Christianity, but it has brought so many women together with the idea
of “loving one another.” People need others to care about them. Jesus cared
about others…we should, too--and set a good example. When was the last time that you encouraged others
to enjoy life—to live life to the fullest? Love one another. Wear purple or
red…or any color you prefer—just honor God by honoring others with your time
and attention. That is love.
Prayer
~ Lord God, thank you for the color purple—and for the opportunity to honor You
by honoring others—by showing them Your love and grace. In all that I do…I give
You thanks. “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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