Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I think I can learn some lessons from these Disney characters. After all, a friend reminded me years ago…If God can use (talk through) a donkey, He can use (talk through) whomever He chooses. That is comforting when I think of God using me when I feel so unqualified. And, it made me realize that God can even talk through Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
First off, I am going to take a look at Doc. He’s the only dwarf with glasses. Not sure if that is significant but it is noticeable. I really don’t know why his name is Doc in this movie. He never treats anyone as a doctor treats a patient. He never carries a medical bag. He does, however, seem to take on the unofficial role of leader of the 7 dwarfs. They seem to look to him for guidance.
Even though he appears as scared as the rest of them, he encourages them to search for the intruder in their home.
Doc, think of that name. I don’t think we usually call our medical doctors Doc but I remember two television series where Doc was what they called the doctors in their towns. One was Doc in Gunsmoke played by Wilburn Stone. I started watching westerns with my Grandpa when I was a child and still love them. Doc Adams was sometimes cantankerous but he always came through when people were sick or injured. The other Doc I remember was played by Billy Ray Cyrus in the television show titled Doc. He was a “regular guy” and truly cared about others. He showed compassion for those in need and did his best to meet those needs. Even those of us who are not doctors are called to be compassionate and help meet the needs of others. Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Jesus showed compassion when he fed the 5,000 and 4,000 (Mark 6:34, Mark 8:1-2). He certainly met their needs in a miraculous and marvelous way!
Sometimes I think doctors are seen as those who just make a lot of money at “our” expense but think about it. They truly want to help people or they never would go into that profession. I am truly thankful for doctors, nurses (Samantha and Katie specifically), EMTs, etc. We would be in a mess without them. Jesus gave us the best example of a true doctor, didn’t He? Luke 5:31-32 “Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” We are all sick and dying with no hope until Jesus comes into our lives.
Back to Doc of the 7 Dwarfs…
Like doctors today who warn us if we are in danger of disease, Doc warned of danger. He told Snow White to be on guard for the evil schemes of the queen and her cunning witchcraft. Jesus also warns us to beware and stay away from witchcraft. Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Well, we all know that Snow White in her naivety fell for the queen’s evil scheme. We must always be on guard. I know that I never expect people to lie to me or deceive me but people are people and some do. We must always be alert and prayed up so that we can discern the good from bad.
Another characteristic
of Doc and any good doctor, is comfort. We see Doc comfort Dopey when they all believed Snow White was dead. They were all sad and hurting but he took time even in his own grief, to comfort another. I have found that when we seek to meet the needs of others whether in blessing or comfort, we will be blessed and comforted as well. Here’s what God says, Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Of course he wants us to comfort others but true comfort comes from God. He is the only one who can completely love us, comfort us and bring us peace. When we surrender our hearts to God in true repentance and accept the gracious gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ’ sacrifice on the cross, God will give us the Holy Spirit as our blessed comforter. How marvelous – How wonderful – The love of God for us!
Lessons I learned from Doc: Be compassionate. Be Alert. Avoid sin. Comfort others. Let’s follow Doc’s example. Better yet, let’s be Christ-followers. His example is perfect. I think of toddlers or pets who sometimes follow so closely to us that we almost trip on them. I want to be so close to Christ Jesus that if He were to turn around He would trip over me. How about you? It’s possible! He’s waiting!
How is God speaking to you today? I would love to hear your story. Simply leave a comment. Next up – Grumpy. That should be interesting. Stay tuned.
One of our grandsons used to love to watch that movie but he called it the “Hi Ho” movie. So, when he wanted to watch it, he asked for “Hi Ho”. There is just nothing like the old Disney movies. Even though they all had their share of evil and some scariness (is that a word?) in them, they always had a happy ending. Those are my kind of movies – happy endings. I also like all the loose ends tied up in pretty bows too so don’t take me to scary movies or those who leave you hanging. Anyway, back to Disney. Their movies are like our lives, aren’t they? Evil, bad times, temptations and goodness all together in one story. But like Disney movies, if we trust in God and follow closely after Him, we will have a very happy ending to our life here on earth. God is using this movie to teach me some lessons about work. Not just the work that people do when they go someplace and get paid for a job they do for a company, anything we do that is a work. Here’s what God says about it:
Funny how God speaks to us. This time He’s speaking to me through a Disney movie and the attitudes of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. God works in mysterious ways and with the simple (like me), he uses the simple things to teach us. He is so gracious and loving! I’ll share more lessons from these characters in future posts. Snow White, Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey all have something to show us. Stay tuned for more from “Hi Ho”.
f all time) as we visited his birthplace museum. We even had a photo shoot with him. Then an unexpected blessing happened as we were there, I saw the Iowa Quilt Museum and took a tour. While in there, I met Marianne Fons (those of you who quilt know who I’m talking about). That was fun (side note: she is very nice and down to earth). Then, as we drove through Franklin, Iowa we saw a gorgeous lake from the highway that was filled with blooming lily pads. What a sight. We visited the Lewis & Clark museum and saw recreations of boats, etc. and even walked out on a keelboat.
0 mph speed limit, it just looks like a yellow blur. We drove through the Badlands.
Gather Around for God 