Not a Word

Of all the plays my theatre-loving daughter has been in over the years, the show this weekend had her beaming like never before. In my unbiased opinion, the kid was brilliant and she was a crowd favorite for sure! A role to remember.

The funny part is… she didn’t have a single line. Well, aside from one “Moo,” and a grunt when she dropped dead. She played the cow, Milky White, in the show Into the Woods; it was remarkable to watch her draw a clear picture of her character and get such a big response from the audience without saying a word.

Witnessing the profound effect of communicating without speaking, I recalled a recent conversation regarding my charismatic “cow-girl.” I had the privilege of chatting over coffee with a trusted friend who has been at this parenting adventure longer than I have. I asked her for a piece of wisdom as I enter the world of the teenager, and her response was a gem. She said, “They may not always listen to what we say, but they are always watching what we do.” Unforgettable insight and a welcomed reminder of the old adage to be the adult I want my children to become.

Reaching beyond parenting, our daily surroundings naturally provide a similar stage and audience. And we stand perpetually in the place of Milky White. For better or worse, our actions and our responses to the world around us can create a great impact without even opening our mouths.

I often think about this responsibility when I put on my favorite cross necklace in the morning, a physical reminder that I am representing Jesus in all that I do. Whether I’m interacting with someone directly or indirectly, my behavior is my billboard. (Fortunately God is exquisitely forgiving, because some days go more smoothly than others!)

While we may not have a script to spell everything out, we do have the scriptures! In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says, “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” If we use Christ as our guide, we can walk with confidence and pride, happy for others to follow our lead. And we can rest assured that by striving to model the integrity and compassion of Jesus, even without a word… we can steal the show!

Happy Wednesday-

“Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” St. Francis of Assisi