This past Saturday was the birthday of my favorite author of all time – Theodor Geisel – known to the world as Dr. Seuss. Born just a ways up I-91 in Springfield, MA, he wrote and illustrated more than 60 books. His work includes many of the most popular children’s books of all time. They sold over 600 million copies and were translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death. In 2000, Publishers Weekly compiled a list of the best-selling children’s books of all time; of the top 100 hardcover books, 16 were written by Geisel.
Theodor was of German descent and he and his sister Marnie experienced anti-German prejudice from other children following the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Geisel was raised as a Missouri Synod Lutheran and remained in the denomination his entire life. In 1937, Geisel published his first children’s book And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.
Stories are powerful things and Dr. Seuss’ books always had a powerful lesson contained within them. In Horton Hears a Who, we learn that “a person’s a person no matter how small.” How the Grinch Stole Christmas! teaches us that Christmas means more than just presents and feasting. My oldest son Jeremy learned to read with Hop on Pop. The Lorax spoke for the trees and teaches us to care for our world. The Butter Battle Book is an anti-war story: specifically, a parable about arms races in general, mutually assured destruction and nuclear weapons in particular. Dr. Seuss just had a way to reveal much larger truths in an engaging and entertaining way.
Jesus did the same thing. We read in the gospel of Mark that Jesus said, “‘How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.’ Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables” (Mark 4:30-34).
Why? Why speak in parables? Because stories are powerful. We all remember the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. What a story of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. All of us can identify because all of us have been the prodigal son or daughter at one point in our lives. Many of us may have been the brother as well who was angry because he’d always followed the rules and didn’t believe his wayward brother deserved mercy. How about building a house on a solid foundation instead of sand? Or hiding a lamp under a bowl? Yes, stories are powerful.
Jesus softens our hearts and changes our minds. Teaches us to love and always be kind. He tells us to forgive whenever we can. No matter the circumstance, situation, or plan. You see, when God opens our eyes, He changes our view. Where once we were blind, now everything’s new.
Your story is powerful too. You don’t have to quote Scripture to share the truth about Jesus. Just tell your story. How the LORD changed your life. Your story. Your testimony can literally change someone’s life – forever. And it doesn’t have to rhyme.
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