Sometimes the Best Stories Come Without Words
Who’d a thought a petit girl from the hills of Tennessee would become a global headliner!? By now, unless you’re living like a hermit or fasting from technology, you’re suspecting I’m referring to Dolly Parton. I am.
While, I never heard her talk about her faith, she preached without words. Which is something more of us would be wise to emulate. I think about Jesus exhorting his followers to be identified by how we love each other. And I don’t think Jesus meant just loving folks that look and act like us, attend the same or any church.
From several accounts, Dolly was smart, funny, kind, welcoming to all and generous. Her songs, like Coat of Many Colors, honored her mama, and spoke about faith and love. But it also rebuked bullies. Oh, and the millions of books she donated honored her smart, but illiterate daddy.
Dolly’s mama stitched her coat from rags. To Dolly it was beautiful because the coat warmed her through her mama’s love. And Dolly’s songs and life remind us that there’s a poverty greater than lack of money. This song concludes with words to encourage children to be grateful, parents to know what’s most needed, and bullies to back off.
So after young Dolly stands up to the bullies by affirming her love for the coat and her mama, she sings, “But they didn’t understand it, and I tried to make them see. One is only poor, only if they choose to be. Now I know we had no money, but I was rich as I could be, in my coat of many colors my momma made for me.”
So what’s with this blog’s title? Well, one writer said that, although Dolly wrote songs that told stories, the best story was Dolly’s life. And the same is true for you and me. We are living stories, adding words and images daily that authenticate or negate who we are or aspire to be and what and who matters to us.
And so lets lean into the vision Jesus has for us, to be known for how we love each other. We’re all going to be known for something. Why not be remembered for being loving, kind, welcoming and generous? It’s not about the clothes.
On the other hand, there’s a saying. “Clothes make the man.” I sorta get it. Maybe, that’s why we had Sunday clothes. But then there’s Mark Twain’s twist on the quote, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
For sure, how we dress or not, grabs attention. While Dolly dazzled with rhinestones, she shone more for her good deeds. So, no matter what we’re wearing, I hope the story we’re sharing bears repeating. Because the best story is us, if someone wants to know about Jesus and what or who matters to him.
Anyone else feel in need of some editing?