A Life Lived to the Fullest

On August 25, 2026, a light went out in the world. Rarely does someone come along who is almost universally loved. Dolly Parton was one of those unique individuals who made you love her, whether you wanted to or not. By now everyone knows of her life story, from growing up in a two-room cabin in East Tennessee to becoming one of the most accomplished musical artists and personalities of our time. There is no doubt Dolly had to work hard to make it in a very challenging and sometimes heartbreaking industry. But she had a good start because of the gifts God gave her. She was blessed with courage, beauty, talent, intelligence, and incredible wit, as well as a warm and welcoming personality. The persona she created with the wigs, makeup, and showy, revealing clothes was a means to an end. She used that persona and her well known self-deprecating humor to succeed. But more importantly, she used her success to lift up others  –  family members, friends, and, through her philanthropic efforts, people she would never even meet. 

Dolly was a Christian, but she never described herself as religious. So instead of talking about her Christian beliefs, she sang them and lived them. She brought hundreds of jobs to the mountains which were her childhood home, she used the royalties from Whitney Houston’s version of her song, “I Will Always Love You” to buy a strip mall and office complex in a neighborhood mostly populated by Black families, then she moved her own business office into the complex to support it, and she donated millions to literacy, medical research, and disaster relief. She recorded with and mentored many other artists from country to rock to Christian music genres. We will never know how much she gave and how many she helped.

But of all her wonderful traits and gifts, perhaps one of the most important was acceptance. In a 2014 interview she referenced all the struggles she had in life to be appreciated and accepted, just to be herself. When asked about judgment, she replied, "if people want to pass judgment, they are already sinning… I try to love everybody.” And love everybody she did. 

No matter what we do, most of us will not achieve the stardom and success of Dolly Parton. But we can most assuredly achieve her acceptance and love of others, and, like her, we can reach out our hearts and our hands to give someone a bit of help when needed.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16.

Sunday, September 13, is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. The scripture readings for this Sunday are Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:1-13, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35. 

Commissioned Lay Pastor Mary Ellen Lucas will lead the service in the Lutheran Order with communion in the church building and as a Zoom meeting beginning at 11 a.m. To join the Zoom meeting, use the email contact on the website dpflc.org to ask for an invitation.

The congregations of Delta Presbyterian (PCUSA) and Faith Lutheran (ELCA) meet together and alternate orders of worship weekly in the log church building located at 1760 Richardson Highway, near the Delta Community Library and just south of the Delta Community Center. Our website is www.dpflc.org - click the link on the website to follow us on Facebook.

The Alcoholics Anonymous Buffalo Group is a group of individuals who strive for sobriety and seek others for support and encouragement. The group holds open meetings at 7:30 p.m. in the church basement on Mondays for discussion and Thursdays for the 12-step recovery program. Call 907-978-5575 or 760-835-2274, or see fairbanksaa.org for more information about Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Al-Anon group (people who have been affected by someone else’s drinking) meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Sue at 907-687-9682 or online at al-anon.org for more information.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.” Psalm 103:1.

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Photo taken from this article:
https://blog.strazcenter.org/2021/01/05/artists-we-love-dolly-parton/