Faith Reflections

But What If She COULDN’T Sing?

April 18th, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized

Susan Boyle has captured the hearts of millions around the world. We love a story of an underdog who makes good, and that’s Susan! She was an unknown Scottish single woman of 47, square built “like a garage” is how she put it. Her last years had been spent quietly taking care of her aging mother until her death.

Then she stepped out onto the stage of Britain’s Got Talent. Facial expressions from judges and the audience hinted many were ready to make fun of this unlikely candidate for stardom. She began to sing, and that changed everything. Her voice and delivery were amazing. She received a standing ovation long before she finished. Millions of views of the event on YouTube, guest appearances on the morning network news shows, and countless articles have made it clear that Susan has gone from being known to only those in her small Scottish village to being world famous.

The message is clear – don’t judge a book by its cover. Susan said in an interview, “Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances…But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.”

Point well made. But there’s even a deeper lesson here. The world learned not to judge Susan Boyle by her appearance because of her stellar performance. But what if she couldn’t sing? What if the expected had happened and her performance had matched her appearance? The judges and audience would have been quick with a harsh and cruel reaction.

What about people who fall short, by popular opinion, in both appearance and performance? Are they not worthy of respect, understanding, appreciation, and love?

The world declares Susan Boyle to be a success, but was she not already a great and successful human being when she was quietly, sacrificially, and lovingly taking care of her aging, ailing, and dying mother?

The late priest and theologian Henri Nouwen spent the last years of his life working in a community of mentally and physically handicapped people. He spent hours every day taking care of Adam, a man with profound developmental disabilities. His message from that experience was that even people who don’t seem to be living productive lives by the usual standards still can live fruitful lives, having a profound impact on others.

It’s not enough to cease judging people by their appearance. We must also stop judging them by their performance.

Susan Boyle says it was her mother who inspired her to “take a risk.” It is Susan’s mother who is really behind this phenomenon, an elderly, feeble, and dying woman. Her life was no longer productive by any of the usual measures of what it means to live a productive life. But Susan’s mother loved her daughter and believed in her, and that has made all the difference.

What we can do is certainly more important than how we look, as Susan Boyle’s experience shows us. But it’s Susan’s mother who reminds us that who we are trumps them both.