Friday, September 20, 2013

'U' For Umbrella


                                               
Today, I share with you a nice and inspiring story about Umbrella. I am also sharing a beautiful song on Umbrella by the famous country singer Faith Hill.

First the story:


                                                     Bring Your Umbrella

When severe drought hit a small farming community in the Midwest of the USA, a local church called a prayer meeting & everybody showed up. A crisis has a way of getting our attention!

As the pastor stood before his packed church he noticed an 11 year girl sitting in the front row, beaming with excitement. Lying next to her was her bright red umbrella poised for use. The beauty & innocence of this sight made him smile as he compared the faith of this child with that of the rest of the people in the room. You see, the rest of them had come just to pray for rain – but she had come to see God answer!






One of the dangers of praying, is praying, yet not really expecting anything: “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that… He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Heb11:6)

But what if your prayer lines up with God’s word, yet the answer is delayed? Keep praying & believing! “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Heb 10:35-36).

So, when you pray for rain, bring your umbrella.


I am reminded of the same concept in Reiki too, which also emphasises that we must always believe that whatever we want has already happened, for when we go with that kind of confidence, the Universe has to give it to us. If on the other hand we go with 'hope', we are going with doubt, which automatically puts blockages in our wish being actualised for our prayers lack confidence. A little girl too can show us the way  to achieve our goals in life.


Now listen to this lovely song called the "Red Umbrella"

Lyrics of the song " Red Umbrella":

Sometimes life can get a little dark
I’m sure I’ve got bruises on my heart
Here come the black clouds full of pain
Yeah, you can’t break away without the chains

Your love is like a red umbrella
Walk the streets like Cinderella
Everyone can see it on my face

So let it rain, it’s pouring all around me
Let it fall, it ain’t gonna drown me
After all, I’m gonna be okay
So let it rain

You can wear your sorrow like an old raincoat
You can save your tears in a bottle made of gold
But the glitter on the sidewalk always shines
Yeah, even God needs to cry sometimes

Your love is like a red umbrella
Always there to make me better
When my broken dreams are falling from the sky

Oh let it rain
Let it fall, I’m gonna be okay so let it rain
Let it wash my tears away
Tomorrow’s another day, yeah

So let it rain, it’s pouring all around me
Let it fall, it ain’t gonna drown me
After all, I’m gonna be okay
So let it rain.




"Red Umbrella" is an up-tempo song consisting of abstract imagery, in which the narrator explains that she will be all right despite the troubles in her life. She compares love to a "red umbrella" to cover her from the rain.

Billboard gave Red Umbrella a positive review, saying "It's a positive love song that is uplifting and sweet, but doesn't venture too far into saccharine territory. And just when you'd think the world's songwriters might have run out of new ways to describe love, here's a fresh analogy: 'Your love is like a red umbrella/Walk the streets like Cinderella/Everyone can see it on my face.' Hill's performance is perfection."




Faith Hill the singer too, had struggled a lot to come to a stage where she  is now: it was her faith in her talents and abilities that has brought her here.  So have faith in your goals, intent your intentions with faith and see them happen, for it is all in our hands. Never pray or ask for things halfheartedly


Isn't it interesting, how even a simple Umbrella  can  be turned into an inspiring topic?
Do you also know some Umbrella story?
I would love to hear from you.

31 comments:

  1. That's such a lovely message. It is so very true, all who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brilliant write up.I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story and the rich poem.Your take on complete and unwavering faith is the kernel of my branch of religion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The positive attitude of a child.

    ReplyDelete
  4. A very inspiring and positive post, Rama. Loved the cute story, the quotes and the song. I believe in the adage "Faith can move mountains" and along with that sincere prayers too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Asha it is really a simple story, but with such deep message. I think if we go through such stories, we can re-tune ourselves to the universe, and get what we desire without much effort. Our prayers should never make us look or feel like beggars.

      Delete
  5. Nice song, Rama! I have heard about the singer but heard her song only now.

    Faith or belief will help us achieve things in life always. Very well written post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for this inspirational post Rama, particularly "we must always believe that whatever we want has already happened, for when we go with that kind of confidence, the Universe has to give it to us." I had forgotten to do this, you reminded me and opened out a new approach.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes padmaja, I don't know why I strongly feel the urge to keep on this statement, again and again, especially when i see people saying/ asking with words like"want, should,hope and so on", it kind of takes away the power from whatever it is they need. They must cultivate the habit of intentions, and make it a habit to think of the things they want as it has already happened.
      I don't know whether I am making any sense to you. it is something I have to keep reminding myself too.

      Delete
  7. Rama I was over awed after reading such a simple,but a powerful story. Faith and a prayer from the heart is always heard.It is fulfilling and satisfying.The poem is superb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Usha. It is not a poem, it is the lyrics of the song. When i read this simple story, I felt I had to share with others. I am so happy yo liked it.

      Delete
  8. Very true Rama! The faith can move the mountains!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is the faith like that little girl that works..and you always post beautiful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Renu, I happened to find this picture in the net, it was so cute and appropriate: the little girl with her red umbrella

      Delete
  10. A very nice write-up, Rama.It contains a positive stroke full of solace for bleeding hearts!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great story about Umbrella. It was fun to read it fully. Thanx for sharing.

    High Salary Jobs

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a way to inject us with a lovely positive though....Loved this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is so good to hear, that you have also read this story. Thanks a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Loved the way you used Umbrella to talk so much about life Rama, the umbrella story has a lesson for all us so called wise grown-ups. Real and heartfelt feelings always make a huge difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Reshma. Yes even a small thing like an umbrella which we take for granted can convey some profound wisdom, if only we care to listen. Similarly, the little girl had so much faith in her prayer, she was absolutely sure that God would surely listen to her and came prepared with an umbrella.

      Delete
  15. Dear Rama, I am glad to be back here, at last! Summer vacation, which is very long for me, is now behind me, so I will start to read from "A" this wonderful stories of yours. I have also news: as Sepember, 23 I am retired.

    I loved the story of the umbrella, which answers all our questions when we badly want something and it doesn't happen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome back Traveling Hawk. With your retirement, I am sure you would have more time to explore the world and write about them, and capture beautiful pictures for your followers to relish. Oh, thanks for committing yourself to reading from 'A', you know you don't have to do that.
      Be well, sending you lots of love.

      Delete
  16. Dear Rama, I am glad to be back here, at last! Summer vacation, which is very long for me, is now behind me, so I will start to read from "A" this wonderful stories of yours. I have also news: as Sepember, 23 I am retired.

    I loved the story of the umbrella, which answers all our questions when we badly want something and it doesn't happen!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Rama,

    I'm back from my long, long summer vacation and I'll start from "A" to read your wonderful stories.
    The umbrella story answer all our questions when we want something badly and nothing happens! Thanks for it!

    ReplyDelete