No Secret

I can try and blame it on being a child of the 60s, but so was my husband and he doesn’t have the same enthusiasm for musicals as I do. “West Side Story,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oklahoma,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” are a few favorites, but there’s another one with just as many good songs but which hasn’t made it to as many community productions as the others. “Calamity Jane” was nominated for best music or scoring of a musical picture and Doris Day singing “Secret Love” won the Oscar for Original Song in 1954. It’s not a historical portrayal of Calamity Jane but rather an inventive and comical portrayal of a rough frontierswoman who gets a soft spot for a Lieutenant. This is contrary to the image the town has of her. She wins sharp shooting contests, runs with the posses, “bellies up to the bar” and dresses just like any other man in town. Calamity is pretty proud and protective of her reputation as being equal to resolving any challenge a man could handle, so when that tough skin is peeled away and she admits that she loves Lieutenant Dan, she is exposed and vulnerable, but at the same time relieved and renewed. She puts on a dress, ties a ribbon in her hair, and goes to confess her love before the world, at least the world of the flowers and the trees. But it’s her first step into claiming and saying the words that until that point had been silent. The music swells and she thrusts out her chest in sheer joy that can’t be restricted any longer singing; “Now I shout it from the highest hills!” It’s a song that comes to mind when I’m bursting with excitement or filled with happiness. I can be rather guarded with my thoughts but every once in awhile Doris and I take off our chaps and sing a duet to let the daffodils in on our secret. It was a good weekend for singing!

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You are our confidant and supporter. You know our deepest fears and greatest loves and help us face them and expose them. When we can put a name to our feelings it helps us take steps toward resolution and action. Help us to overcome the fears that impede our growth and encourage us to build the relationships that strengthen our talents and love which help us come closer to the fulfillment of the lives you have dreamed we can achieve. We have witnessed examples of Grace’s unpredictable triumph. This cannot be kept a secret! In renewed confidence, let us claim, name, and un-tame God’s abiding Love that is greater than our dreams. Amen

Once I had a secret love
That lived within the heart of me
All too soon my secret love
Became impatient to be free

So I told a friendly star
The way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are
And why I am so in love with you

Now I shout it from the highest hills
Even told the golden daffodils
At last my heart’s an open door
And my secret love’s no secret anymore