Signora Sheila

One day, while watching an old Andy Griffith episode my 6-year-old grandson piped up with a question. “Why don’t they want that man to sing, Nonna? He sings real good!” That man was Rafe Hollister who, with his golden singing voice, had entered, and won, the singing contest held by the local Ladies’ Society.

But the snooty president of the ladies’ society, Mrs. Jeffries, didn’t want Mr. Hollister to sing at their musicale. She felt that the uncouth, shabbily dressed farmer would embarrass them all. So Mr. Stoner, the pompous mayor of Mayberry, put sherriff Andy Taylor in charge of keeping Rafe from disgracing the town.

For those unfamiliar with The Andy Griffith Show, it is an American television series that first aired in the 1960s. The show revolves around Andy Taylor, the sheriff of the sleepy, slow-paced fictional community of Mayberry, North Carolina. At home, widower Andy faces the challenges of raising his young son Opie. And dealing with the ill-advised romances and adventures of his maiden aunt and housekeeper, Aunt Bee.

Andy’s laid-back, quiet approach to his job makes him a target for local bootleggers and out-of-town criminals. But his ability to solve community problems with common sense makes him popular with the townspeople. His life is further complicated by eccentric townspeople, various girlfriends and bumbling friends. And most of all by his well-meaning but inept deputy, Barney Fife, and his repeated blunders.

Anyway, at this point in the episode my 4-year-old granddaughter added, “Yeah, he sings better than that other guy,” (Deputy Barnie Fife). So I explained that they didn’t like the way Mr. Hollister looked. Which led to an interesting conversation.

GRANDSON: What’s wrong with him? He looks all right to me!

ME: Well, they don’t like the way he’s dressed.

GRANDDAUGHTER: He looks fine to me. He’s just dressed like a farmer.

GRANDSON: And he could always change his clothes.

ME: That’s true. He could do that…

Through the eyes of a child

It’s no wonder that Christ says that we must become like little children to enter his kingdom.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:2-4

We need a heart like that of a little child. We need to see as they see. And not like the Mayor and Mrs. Jeffries, or even me sometimes! Because sadly, my thoughts had been along the same lines as those of the mayor and the snooty Mrs. Jeffries. “How could they let someone as unkempt as Rafe Hollister get up there to sing?”

But humble Rafe Hollister only entered because Sheriff Andy Taylor had convinced him to try. “Do you really think I have a chance?” he asked in amazement.

In the end, Barney embarrassed himself with his off-key singing. While humble Rafe Hollister, with his truly gifted voice, won first place! Listen to Rafe and Barney sing (below) and you’ll see why Rafe won!

My attitude adjustment

My grandchildren gave me an attitude adjustment that day. They helped me see why Christ says that if we want to enter His kingdom we must become like little children.

Instead of judging by appearances children often look beyond, at the heart of the person. And they see with eyes of love and acceptance, just as Jesus does.

My prayer today is that the Lord will give me such a heart. And not like the snooty mayor and Mrs. Jeffries!

Preconceived notions are locks on the door to wisdom.

Mary Browne

📷 Image credits: girl; the Andy Griffith show © Paramount Pictures, used under fair use standards