Thursday Thankfulness and Dolly Parton

 I woke up on Tuesday morning and put out the flag as the sun was rising as per my normal routine. I always like to look at the skies and see what interesting cloud formations appear at that time. Every morning is different...some are ordinary and not too interesting, but so often there is something to take my breath away.  This was one of those mornings. I saw this cloud in the sky that to me looked like a child praying over our country and our American Flag.  It was one of those goose-bumply moments, and I shared it on Facebook.

A little later in the morning I started seeing notices on Facebook that Dolly Parton had died that morning. I don't know about you, but even my sister commented to me when she saw this cloud, "Maybe it was Dolly!". Yes, I had actually thought the same thing! I didn't want to say it out loud because people would think I was a little crazy, but since my sister went ahead and said it on Facebook...I knew that I could say it too. Let people think what they want. They've certainly been coming out of the woodwork to say all kinds of things...some beautiful and positive and some, well, downright ugly, even from some "Christians". That really disturbs me that people who call themselves Christians are so quick to judge and act like they are God and they express their opinions as if they have an inside track to God's heart. What I would like to say is this: No one knows the heart of any person EXCEPT for God. What has transpired between the heart of any man or woman and Jesus Christ is strictly between them. 

I love to think about that thief on the cross...the story is found in Luke chapter 23:38-43

38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 

41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 

42 Then he said o Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Even though that thief had lived a life of enslavement to sin, when he was dying, he recognized Who Jesus was, and called him "LORD", and asked Him to remember him when he came into His kingdom...and Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

There was no time to do any great works or make up for all of his misdeeds. He was literally dying right then. But Jesus saw his faith and knew his heart that he was sincere, and He granted him pardon right then and there.  

That's what I love about Jesus. He looks at the heart of man, not on the outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. 

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

When it comes to Dolly Parton, I see a woman whom God blessed abundantly, and she knew that and expressed it often. She was also a person who did not hoard her wealth, but shared it freely with so many less fortunate ones. She used her talents and gifts  and blessings to bless others.  Was she perfect? No. But then, neither am I, or you, or anyone else out there. Did I agree with everything she said and/or did? Probably not on some issues. But what I see is a woman with a big heart who loved God and loved people and wanted to make things better for those who were less fortunate.  I believe she expressed her faith in God through her works.  

I love this song that Dolly sang at the Christian Music Association Dove Awards back in 1990 .  And as I watched her singing this once again, I believe I could hear Dolly singing it from heaven as she met Jesus face to face:  "He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive and I'm forgiven, heaven's gates are opened wide! He's Alive! He's Alive! He's Alive! Sweet Jesus, He's Alive!!!!"

Dolly Parton singing "He's Alive"

Right after I saw that unusual cloud, I saw these two Sand Hill Cranes fly over together...and again, at the time I didn't know the significance of what was happening because I hadn't heard the news, but afterwards I thought, well maybe that was the angel escorting Dolly into heaven...

Who knows? God knows. And that's good enough for me.

RIP Dolly Parton

I know this is a little different from my usual kind of Thursday Thankfulness post, but it was on my mind and I just wanted to share these thoughts. You may feel differently about this than I do, but that's okay. Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts...but these are mine and I am thankfuly that through Jesus Christ, we all have this hope of eternal life.  It's best to make that decision now and not wait until we are on our deathbed, because life is so much better when we know Jesus.  

Amen, and have a blessed day.