TESTIMONY:
“I love the commitment to you just being who you are.”
The above quote is something American Idol host Randy Jackson said to contestant Haley Smith after her audition in 2012. She ended up “going to Hollywood.” Although she didn’t make the finals, getting to Hollywood was a big deal.
Haley did in a motorcycle accident recently. I ran across the story about her death (and her American Idol journey) when I went down one of the many rabbit holes I end up descending in my work as an editor for SmartBrief.
Many things about her story (her testimony, as it were) struck me. She was working three jobs at 18, one of them as a vegetarian in a meat-packing plant. I have always (it feels like) worked multiple jobs and had side gigs. I can so relate to the fear of not making it financially being something that propels a person to work, work, work.
Amid all that working, though, she had a spirit that she clearly didn’t waver from. Watch the original of the song she performed (Chaka Khan and Rufus’ singing Stevie Wonder’s “Tell Me Something Good), then watch Haley do it.
Theirs:
Hers:
I thought back on the “scripts” I was taught as a young summer missionary for the Southern Baptist Church when I was 18. Although they were well-intentioned, I see things differently now.
It is in being truly myself, and living a life that demonstrates the things I used to try to explain in a rote script, that I best convey a message to the people around me about my values. Unfortunately, I have become sporadic in my church attendance, something I intend to rectify soon, but what hasn’t changed is my gratitude that I can be uniquely me. That’s a pretty divine gift. Randy was “on to something good.”
RIP, Haley.
Welcome to this week’s Five Minute Friday. Our instructions, via creator Kate Motaung: “Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.” (But I can’t resist spell checking, as you can imagine.)
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Love your post.
You are so right about God calling us to be who we uniquely are and being true to that is our best witness. Our behaviour is so much more noticeable and even persuadable than words.
God bless
Your FMF Neighbour #42
Thank you (and love the name princessofthelaundrybasket)!
I’m reminded of the motto of the army, “Be all you can be!” You did it, Haley! We’ll meet up some day!
She truly did.
It’s always so sad when someone dies so young. Especially someone so talented.
So sad. I am glad I ran across a clip that had the interview with her. She seemed so down to earth.
In the Children’s sermon today the speaker told the little one that there is no one else in the whole world like her and that God created her to do what no one else can do exactly like her. And then she finished with the fact that while she is loved by many, no one loves her as much as God! Isn’t it wonderful that He made each us to be uniquely us and do things the way He has designed us to do them. I love that and your thoughts here Paula!
That’s so true, Cindy. Thanks for sharing!