Magic Genies, Little Women and Storytellers

 I believe, in the end, it's stories that will be used to shape us into the kinder, wiser, and more ethically conscious versions of ourselves that we were originally intended to be.

It's why millions over the years have designed their whole lives around the collection of stories we believe to be true, about the Red Sea parting in two, and a people group sustained by mana from heaven and water from a rock. About a marching band bringing down a walled city and a shepherd boy slaying a giant. About a king born in a manager, and dead people coming to life again. 

It's why when God showed up here in the flesh, he spent 33 years wandering around telling stories. We understand in stories better than we ever can in theological bullet points or well-formed arguments. I think this is maybe why I became a pastor. Because I wanted to be able to share these stories that change us. And I believe these stories to be the best, because they're true.

But a story doesn't even have to be true to shape us. So many types of stories play a role. These past four months Moses and about 50 of his closest friends spent 100's of hours rehearsing and performing the Disneyfied Arabian folk story from One Thousand and One Nights of Aladdin. The diamond in the rough, who learned some important things about honesty and authenticity, and tricked the evil Wizar, saved the kingdom and won the heart of the princess. And the storytellers learned that nothing of excellence comes without practice, that they are important, not just as an individual but as part of something much bigger than themselves because others depend on them, and they learned that their joy brings others joy. 

I've been subbing English Language Arts a lot lately. Which is truly a blessing because I do words not numbers. So I go full book-nerd. I insist that AI should NEVER write their papers, regardless of what they claim they get away with sometimes. Because writing comes from our soul and their soul is not a computer. And, I am MILITANT about "free reading" time. I walk around asking them what they're reading (and turning the book right side up if they're faking). 

Last week one of the girls asked me "What's your favorite book?"

I had to think. Because there's "current" favorites, and there's the "all-time favorite" I'm loyal to, even if it's been almost thirty years since I read it. 

The Greatest of All Time will always be Little Women.

After I answered, I got to thinking about how much of my adult beliefs, actions, personality, and values are shaped by the story of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. 

Here are some of the moments and quotes that you can thank or blame for the way I am today:

1. (SPOILER ALERT): The death of Beth.

Beth was the "good one." No one was sweeter. All the other characters were very complexly flawed, and needed a lot of growth but not really Beth. Ultimately, she died young because of the long term effects of Scarlett fever. And, I have to say this is probably a huge, subconscious reason for why I fought so hard against the "survival of the fittest attitude" during COVID, why I don't understand taking our chances with preventable diseases, and why I feel we all have a responsibility to consider the most vulnerable. You can thank or blame Beth.

2. We can "march" (pun intended) to the beat of our own drum when our values aren't popular.

The March family was weird. I forget now what's spelled out as clearly in the book and what is played up in the movie, but either way, the historical family they're drawn from had strong religious convictions and were firm abolitionists. In the movie, when Meg is offered a silk dress to borrow, she is at first assured that this silk "doesn't come from the south" (aka made by slaves) and then she explains that even the other silk is made using child labor and is still not ethically produced. These weren't convictions that made her popular. Neither was her family's pro-immigrant, anti-violent, feminist- leaning transcendentalism among their peers. But, they were responsible for their own actions, regardless of what others found acceptable.

3. Don't be afraid of suffering and sacrifice.

One of the most loved lines of all times, delivered by little sister, Amy is, "I'm not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship."

The March family was a picture of resilience.

What Victor Frankl wrote about in Man's Search for Meaning was already embedded in this story. We can endure a lot more of what we can find meaning and purpose in.

The March girls go through a lot of storms, but finding purpose and meaning, and growing through it, kept them sailing.

I'm always trying to be more of a person who isn't shocked that life is hard but who doesn't let the hard times go to waste.

4. Growing and changing is a slow, steady, and often beautiful process.

My church uses the term "entire sanctification" for that process of the Holy Spirit's refining work in our lives. In Little Women it looks like this:

"My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.”

Jo acted rashly, spoke before thinking and was generally a hot mess. God bless her heart. Meg was vain, and tried to be proper and peacemaking to a fault at times. Amy was a little brat. I said what I said. You couldn't help but love them anyway. But over 449 pages they blossom into women who lean into who they are in a more positive and mature way. I pray that God doesn't leave me in my most rash, uncomfortable and spoilt version but shapes me more and more into who He has planned.

5. Cherish your family. Especially your sisters.

If you read #4 you know that the girls didn't have to be perfect to love each other deeply. I will never forget the line in which Jo says, "I will never love anyone as I love my sisters." Every time my sister's name comes up on my cell phone screen I feel like a March girl, wanting to grab her and squeeze her in a big hug. I'll never love anyone as I love my sister, either.

6. Women aren't just the supporting role characters.

Little Women isn't an anti-feminity, anti-nurturing, anti-romance book. But, way before it's time, it showed that BOTH men and women are capable of being nurturing and tender. Both women and men were capable of heart-bursting love. And both women and men were equally as capable of intelligence, greatness, and contributions to society. 

Jo and her wise mother have encouraged 150 years' worth of women to pursue their dreams, live into their calling, and not make themselves smaller so that men can feel bigger. Real men aren't threatened by equality and an Ezer Kenegdo (Hebrew word for the suitable matching warrior made to help Adam). Men like Mr. March, Laurie and Friedrich leave room for female voices.

I've always looked to Jo as a hero because of her passion for writing. But as I've grown older, I also look to her for the confidence of knowing I'm more capable than I think and that I have something to offer and bring to the table, even in spaces often dominated by men. 

It's summed up so beautifully in this line:

"Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.”

7. Everything else I need to know about love, writing, books, coffee, theater and even time management:

From the plays the girls put on, to the Pickwick papers, and loosing themselves in a good book, I remember how relatable everything about Little Women was to me when I first picked it up as pre-teen. It was like they knew me. And, now as someone who went through the teen years and my early adulthood to now arrive at a place where I'm likely older than Marmee, I still relate.

So, I'm closing with a few more of those relatable quotes I found on a Goodreads link:

“I like good strong words that mean something…”
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

“I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.”

“Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”

“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”

I can't think of any part of who I am that wasn't influenced by a story. I think this is why I feel like the world needs more Louisa May Alcott's. Ultimately, it's not the politicians, the celebrities, or even the scientists who will change us. It's the storytellers.