A Valuable Lesson the Glocal Church Can Learn from a Six Year Old
” Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.” — Napoleon Hill
My six year old daughter never ceases to amaze me…She’s so resilient, yet so imaginative…It seems nothing gets her down!
Here’s what I’ve learned from her that is more valuable than gold.
First she holds on to her Mississippi roots, at least on her Daddy’s side of the family.
Second, she loves music, and third, she loves Faith Hill, a good ole’ Mississippi girl.
However, my lesson goes far beyond my little girl’s taste in music. It lies in one of her favorite songs, which is by Faith Hill, titled “Fireflies”…In the song, Faith Hill captures the beauty and innocence of a child’s capacity to still dream big dreams…That is something that we in the Glocal church, and adults alike, have often lost, our ability to dream big dreams…Typically, because we’ve been hit with the brutality and struggles of ever-day life.
Please, take a moment to read the lyrics to “Fireflies” and remember, most of the greatest movements in our world have begun because someone refused to give up on his or her dream.
Blessings to you all, and never, never, never forget to dream!
Oh, one more thing…Faith Hill didn’t write the song, a stay-at-home mother did!
“Fireflies”
“Before you met me I was a fairy princess
I caught frogs and called them prince
And made myself a queen
And before you knew me I’d traveled ’round the world
And I slept in castles
And fell in love
Because I was taught to dream
I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top
To capture Tinker Bell
And they were just fireflies to the untrained eye
But I could always tell Cause I believe in fairy tales
And dreamer’s dreams
Like bedsheet sails
And I believe in Peter Pan
And miracles, anything I can to get by
And Fireflies
Now before I grew up I saw you on a cloud
And I could bless myself in your name
And pat you on your wings
And before I grew up I heard you whisper so loud
Well life is hard and so is love
Child, believe in all these things
I found mayonnaise bottles and poked holes on top
To capture Tinker Bell
And they were just fireflies to the untrained eye
But I could always tell Cause I believe in fairy tales
And dreamer’s dreams
Like bedsheet sails
And I believe in Peter Pan
And miracles, anything I can to get by . . .
And fireflies . . .Before you met me I was a fairy princess
I caught frogs and called them prince
And made myself a queen
And before you knew me I’d traveled ’round the world
And I slept in castles
And fell in love
Because I was taught to dream”
George Bernard Shaw said it best when he said:
“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, “Why not?”’
Ken Lupton said,
June 15, 2007 at 6:56 am
Rich: Enjoyed that! Dr. Elmer Towns said “You must see the dream and say the dream before you can seize the dream” Have a blessed day…Ken
richsmith said,
June 15, 2007 at 7:26 am
That’s good Ken…Leave it to tried and true Elmer Towns for a great quote like that.
I heard another catchy quote on vision. I cannot recall who said it, I think Andy Stanly or George Barna. It said “Vision is Foresight, stemming from Hindsight, based on Insight.”
Have a good one my friend,
Rich
Tracey Smith Cole said,
July 30, 2007 at 6:36 am
I hate to give you a hard time – all over again – but old habits die hard. =)
Sheri C. just gave me the link to your blog – and I simply cannot resist.
I have listened to this song a gazillion times. It is one of my favs on the album. but as a woman/wife/mother – i think this song is profoundly sad. It has a deeper meaning than what you have acknowledged here. it’s about loss. loss of the fireflies and fairy tales.
btw – my six yr old daughter knows all the words to Mississippi Girl – i even blogged about it last year. too funny!
ALSO – i love your writing. Nice work And S shared a picture and her assesment that you are just like your dad in so many ways. and you do know i LOVED your Poppa.
anywho, you look FABULOUS! check in some time. would LOVE to hear from you!
one last thing – you care if i share your blog with S Rennick. i am in touch with him and i know he would LOVE this!
love and hugs –
Tracey
richsmith said,
July 31, 2007 at 11:48 am
Hey Tracey,
Great to hear from you. I trust life has been good to you over the years…From my perspective on what I’ve heard about you and your life accomplishments, you’ve enjoyed a bounty of riches, most of which the world cannot buy!!!
As for me, I’ve been blessed beyond measure…The dividends which God has so graciously provided for me, thankfully don’t equate with my life investments…I’ve received a 100 fold return on an empty deposit! Only by God’s grace have I been blessed with an incredible family, one which I am extremely grateful. However, at the same time, I recognize that apart from Him, the giver of all good things…I’d have nothing…zilch!!!
In regards to Faith Hill, my 6 year old daughter knows the words to “Mississippi Girl,” verbatim as well, and she proudly sings them on cue.
Regarding “Fireflies,” maybe it’s just naivety or moronic on my part, however, I don’t get the same message from the song. I fully understand the premise of your logic. However, when I listen to “Fireflies,” I take-away the notion, that no matter how old we become, or how much we lose, or whatever may define our lot in life, we still have our dreams! The death of a dream, however, is the death of that little boy or little girl, the death of that Knight or that Princess, inside each of us…It’s our dreams that help us persevere through the highs, the lows, and the everyday minutia of a hard life, which we all know too well.
However, when the adult in us has taken the wheel for so long, and our lives become more about deadlines, assignments, or accelerating on the fast track of our given career path…It’s that little boy or girl (that Knight or Princess) in each of us that refuses to let us give up on the simple, yet profound joy of those dreams which God placed at the center of the hearts of those whom He dearly loves.
Some may call me a pragmatist regarding my dreams. However, I like to think of myself and my God-given dreams, no matter how little or small, as a reflection of the Joy that has taken up residence in my heart. A joy that a hard and often painful life can never pilfer.
Tracey Smith Cole said,
July 31, 2007 at 12:57 pm
isn’t it wonderful that one song can have many different meanings. and some would say that you take away from it that which you bring to it…
i have kept up with you over the years too – via our moms (of course) – and know about your WONDERFUL wife, beautiful kids and your blessed calling to the church. (Your Mom is soooo Proud!)
stay true to you and to your calling. your church family is so fortunate to have you!
be well, my dear friend.