As a kid I spent many a Saturday
running errands with my dad. Oftentimes we would drop in on Howard Whitecotton, one of
dad’s friends from work. He had a cool meandering backyard water feature,
filled with large goldfish. The most wonderful part of our visits at Howard’s,
though, was when I would eye a ukulele that was proudly perched on a wall in
his den. Next to the ukulele was a photo of the instrument's former owner, the famous
Ukulele Ike, an old Hollywood singer and voice actor of the ‘20s and ‘30s, also
known as Cliff Edwards, but better known to the ages as the voice of Jiminy
Cricket, and singer of “When You Wish Upon a Star.” Apparently, Howard was a
dear friend of Edwards, enough of one to receive such a special gift. As a
professional musician today, I wonder just how much that ukulele
surreptitiously sprinkled pixie dust on me, creating a desire for a career in
music.
Not surprisingly, Jiminy Cricket is
my favorite Disney character, and one that is highly elusive when searching for
Disney collectables. I have, however, found a few items, one of which is
sitting atop my bookcase in our living room. It’s a beautiful statue, approximately
ten inches high, of Jiminy sitting on a matchbox, holding out his
umbrella as if to remind me, “…always let your conscience be your
guide!” My niece Tessa was kind enough to pick it up for me while she worked at
Walt Disney World. I treasure it—mostly for the symbolism that Jiminy brings to
my life.
On Fridays at Pacific Drive
Elementary School in the 1960s, we would often watch old clickity projected movie
features in class, some of which were produced by Disney. (I loved Disney because Disneyland was only four miles from my home and school!) Jiminy would often enter the motivational shorts, singing, “I’m no
fool, no-sir-ee, I want to live to be 93. I play safe for you and me ‘cause I’m
no fool!”
I was captivated by his wisdom, and I will say that his teaching
poured into me the life-long rule of ‘look both ways before crossing the
street!’
Later in my Christian walk I
realized the symbolism between the Holy Spirit and Jiminy Cricket. It’s not
that I “give a little whistle” and the Holy Spirit comes running to my rescue. No. It reminds me that, like Jiminy, the Holy
Spirit always brings to mind the Word of God—of right and wrong—and leads me through this tangled-up, sinkhole-infested world of sin in which I live. The
Holy Spirit is my guide, along with the Word of God; this has made an indelible
impression on my soul and has given me great comfort in distress.
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
—Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)
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| My Jiminy Cricket statue |
Sure, like the mischievous Pinocchio, I have donned donkey ears from time to time due to my refusal to
obey God's wisdom. But I know that the deposit of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14) in my life
comforts me and assures me that God will never, EVER ditch me and leave me
alone (Deut. 31:6)—even when at times I may feel
alone.
As I consider that ukulele on Howard
Whitecotton’s wall, I am reminded that in the years since those days I myself have become a
“real boy”—a living testimony of the faithfulness of God through Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Thanks, Jiminy!
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