You will be missed Dolly

I grew up in Tennessee where Dolly was a household name. I used to love to hear her laugh and listen to all of her songs, especially her “Coat of Many Colors” song. I remember listening to her and Kenny Rogers sing so much on my record that I knew exactly where all the scratches were in my record where the music would skip as I sang along. As I heard the news of her passing today, I watched generations impacted by her loss. My girls were in shock with the news-Dolly always seemed timeless, ageless-eternal. But none of us are and I love the video her nephew shared reminding us all that Dolly was a woman of faith and no longer in pain- we will see her again.

I think Dolly’s song about the coat of many colors was probably my first exposure to the story of Joseph. That’s right, you read it correctly. I learned about the story of Joseph from Dolly’s song. I remember hearing her share of the love that her mom put into every single stitch as she made her this beautiful coat. You knew that when she put it on she was wrapped in love and no matter how cruel the kids were at school she felt rich beyond measure because she was surrounded in love. I shared earlier this week about my family roots, we were not rich by any means and although I never wanted for anything, there were many years as I grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee with all the country music star children where I felt less than. Dolly’s song showed me that my riches were greater than anything gained by dollar bills. I didn’t have a coat of many colors, but I had a beautiful poncho that my mom crocheted for me. I loved that poncho and I remember sitting on the floor while mom started crocheting a simple line. As I sat in awe, she kept adding to it and the ombre color of the rustic thread began to come alive. I have no idea what she was doing as she placed a few of those lines over my head making sure it fit before she continued. Stitch after stitch I watched as her hands seemed to fly without pause, with no pattern-it was almost magical to watch. Before long, the poncho began to take shape and mom did another fitting to make sure it was the perfect length. It was just that, perfect. I remember putting it on and not wanting to take it off. I remember wearing it to school where no one dared wear a poncho. I remember being so happy wrapped in love and not caring what anyone said about my “special poncho”.

Joseph was the same with his special robe given to him by his father. “Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him” (Genesis 37:1-2, NIV). Joseph felt the love of his father and the harsh treatment from his brothers did not diminish that love. That foundation of love would stay with Joseph when after being betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, imprisonment, and eventual realease he saw his brothers again. Instead of punishing them for their past behaviors and dooming them to starve, he showed them the love that his father had shown him. I have shared in the past that when I used to read the Old Testament I found it heartbreaking and bloody, but when I took my theology course and really studied the Old Testament I read love story after love story. In the story of Joseph it is easy to dwell and focus on his suffering, but I see the love above all else. The same love Dolly felt with her coat of many colors and the same love I felt with my handmade poncho.

Thank you Dolly for sharing so much of yourself in your life and for sharing the foundation of love your mother gifted to you.

Today I pray that you go listen to some Dolly songs-listen to her words. She was a gift and her light, her faith, was brighter than any darkness that may have surrounded her. Listen to her perspective-when others saw poverty, she saw love. When others saw pain, she saw perseverance. When others gave up hope, she built an empire.

I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog post, subscribe to my web page.

Side note-back procedure early tomorrow morning. Prayers appreciated!