Many accolades have been written about Dolly Parton.  She was known worldwide, not only for her musicianship but for her benevolent and gentle spirit.  She was raised in a poor family of 12 children to parents who cared and loved each one and lived by Biblical principles. 

In addition to the Bible, another book from her childhood became a source of inspiration for the rest of her life.   Here’s what Parton said;” My favorite book of all time is “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper because it inspired me when I was just a kid and still inspires me today.”

Some of you might not know about this book but us older ones read it as children.  A favorite TV show, Captain Kangaroo, read the book while there was a little train that rode on the tracks.  A summary of the book is about a small  little  railroad engine that was given a huge task.  It was his duty to fulfill his task. 

“The little train was pulling a heavy load but had a high hill to climb.  He said to himself. “I think I can, I think I can and so he did.”

It is a powerful message for us all to believe in ourselves and strive to do our best in whatever situation lies before us.  Every one of us braves many challenges in our life.  Each of us has different problems, face different adversities, or situations that require us to have the mind of the little engine. 

We are each given a life in which to achieve our goals, to make the world a better place and to live the life that God wants for us.

Can we all be like the little engine?   

               I think we can, I think we can……..and so we can!!!