The other day singer-songwriter,
country legend, Dolly Parton died. The news was devastating to her family,
friends and fans, but also to countless other people around the world who didn’t
actually know here. The world will never forget Dolly
I was quite devastated by the news.
I do like her music and some of her films. (Steel Magnolias and my
favorite, 9 to 5), but that wasn't why I was so upset. It wasn't why so
many people all over the world are filled with sorry. We could appreciate her
music and we could appreciate our incredible talent, but what drew us in was
not that. It was her not the big hair or the long nails. Not the “boobs” or the
clothing that she wore, but who she truly was. Who she truly seemed to be was a
good person (not a perfect person because nobody is). She was a loving, caring, compassionate, human
being.
Based on what she said during her
lifetime to me she was a true Christian. It doesn't matter to me if she ever set
a foot in a church or not. The way I see it she was following teachings of
Jesus Christ. She didn't spew scripture, instead she spoke plainly and then
acted as Christ would. She had money due to all her hard work, but as they say
she put her money where her mouth was.
It has been said that Dolly Parton
could have been a billionaire instead of just (just?) a millionaire. However
she chose not to keep all her money (although she had enough and why shouldn't
she?), but she used the rest to do what is outlined in Matthew chapter 25
(specifically 34-40). When they were fires in her hometown, she provided help
for families without any questions. She
just helped them survive. There was no big press release, she's just helped.
During one of the darkest times, in
the midst of the pandemic when we were all trying to figure out how to survive,
she put her money where her mouth was by providing funding for research. Her
financial gifts helped create the Moderna covid vaccine. If you don't think my
husband (who has health issues and was one of the early people to get a vaccine)
and I were grateful, well then you don't know us. Her financial gift literally
save the lives of millions. Think about that for a moment. She funded research and
a vaccine was created. She put her money where her mouth was. Furthermore, she
publicly allowed herself to be vaccinated to show that it was safe. She wasn’t
just funding; she was letting us all know that she took this seriously. She
knew what she was doing
She saw problems and used what she
had to try and fix them. Her own father never learned to read. That must have
bothered her and she created the Imagination
Library. Dolly’s generous gift has educated millions. If that
isn't a blessing I don't know what is.
I could go on and on about all the
good works Dolly did in her lifetime, but I don't think I need to. Because while
some may remember her for her music, movies, appearance, etc. for a while, the
world will remember her forever for what she did. Not what she did for
herself, but what she did for the people. What she did for ALL the people. It
didn't matter who they were or what they were, what the color of their skin was,
who they loved; she just saw human beings and treated them as such.
The world has well publicized politicians
and “leaders,” who have never done quarter of as much for the people that they
are supposed to serve as Dolly did in her lifetime. And she did it just by being
Dolly. She didn't make false promises. She didn't try to be something that she
wasn't. She was just her. That's a lesson we all need to learn!
When you are in a difficult
situation, Christians should ask: what
would Jesus do? Not everybody is Christian
(even those who claim to be) so instead I say next time when you are faced with
the situation whether it be difficult or simple, ask yourself, “What would
Dolly do?” And then honor her about doing it. Honor her by caring for those who
need care no matter what. Honor her today, tomorrow and onward.
Honor Dolly. Be a Dolly.
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