(August 20, 2024) Mama Lava shares some thoughts… and asks some questions…

Variety… the quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity or monotony.

How do you, dear reader, feel about variety? Is it the spice of life? Or is it overrated?

When my husband Michael and I took a short road trip last weekend, I couldn’t help but notice the cars around us throughout the day. They lacked character. Why? So many were all the same colour!

Character
At one point, every car on the other side of the highway (about 15 total) was white. Once my interest was piqued, I noticed that most cars I saw afterwards were painted either red (burgundy), black, white, or grey (silver). I did see a couple of dark blues. But character was missing!

And what caused me to notice this phenomenon? A lovely turquoise Toyota! It stood out in the most beautiful way and made me smile. Now to me, it had character and I wish I had photographed it.

No I’m not pointing fingers! I am no help against unimaginative car colours. Mine is pewter. Michael’s is white. Our son’s is red.

Notice the photo right: My son is starting an auto detailing business. But that isn’t the point of this post. Look at all the cars in the photo. Do you notice anything?

They’re all black, red, white, or grey!

And that’s my driveway and my neighbourhood beyond it. I hadn’t noticed the cars on my street were all these same colours until I went looking for a picture to go with this post. And lo and behold…

Colour
I thought beyond my household: My other son has a black truck. My daughters all drive white cars. My son-in-law’s is silver. My parents and mother-in-law have red vehicles.

Why are automobile companies doing this to us? Is it really what we all want? I don’t think so. I would choose a teal car if I had the chance.

And I mustn’t be the only one who has noticed the drab cars on the road— I saw this photo on a friend’s social media with the caption The 1970’s, When Cars Were Colourful.

Choice
The whole thing caused me to think about my character.

• I prefer not to stand out in a crowd; I enjoy fitting in.
• But— is that how I bring joy to an anxious and depressed world?
• Shouldn’t I aspire to be the turquoise car in a line of blacks, whites, and reds?

God shapes our personalities with variety. He wants us to showcase His image in all sorts of creative ways. And it is the enemy who shrouds us with insecurity and makes us think we should all be the same. Is it not so?

We may not have too much choice when it comes to our cars, but let’s choose to shine our unique character and be who God created us to be! May we be bold and colourful and spark joy. Let’s be the reason someone spontaneously smiles at our Maker today!

Talk to me in the comments (Link below): How do you feel about variety? What colour is your car? What colour would you choose for your vehicle if you had the whole spectrum of options?

• Do you have an example of someone or something which stands out and brings you joy?
• How has God made your own character unique? (Psalm 139:14, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 12:6, Galatians 6:4, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13, 1Peter 4:10).
• Don’t you want to spotted for the colourful person God wants you to be… displaying character that attracts people to Him ?

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Mama Lava delights to share openly and honestly from her heart. She sincerely believes in making the big world a bit smaller through caringly connecting, that Jesus wants to remove our anxieties and give us His joy. In her encouragements, Mama Lava regularly tells of life experiences from an unapologetically Christian viewpoint. Link: Mama Lava’s Back Porch (Doses of Maternal Love).
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