"And now it's time for Silly Songs with Larry. The part of the show where Larry comes out and sings a silly song." If you were a VeggieTales kid you know that those two sentences were what you had been waiting the whole episode for. Of course you enjoy the rest of it, but Silly Songs with Larry is just something special. Four minutes of continual laughter and joy, but also four minutes from which even as adults we can still gain wisdom. Here are 7 little pieces of life advice that I picked up while recently going through my favorite Silly Songs.
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1. Be generous especially when it can better benefit someone else.
In "The Hairbrush Song", Larry is furiously searching for his hairbrush which he seems to have misplaced. He asks everyone who comes by if they have seen it. Finally, when Bob shows up, he explains how he gave it to Peach since he has hair and Larry doesn't. Oftentimes we become too attached to our possessions even when they are no longer useful to us. Be willing to give to those who can benefit from what you have more than you can.
"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." - Proverbs 11:25
2. Don't always be an Archibald Asparagus.
In both "The Water Buffalo Song" and "The Song of the Cebu," Archibald interrupts the song to talk about how irrelevant and silly it is. He is constantly trying to get Larry to be more serious. He is so consumed with commenting on every detail that he doesn't enjoy time with the others. Many times we can become so caught up in our schoolwork and other commitments that we forget to enjoy time with our friends. This semester, remember that while school is important, you should still be available for your friends. Sit and talk with them for a little bit. Invest in your friendships and make them feel important because you know they are!
"Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up." - Proverbs 12:25
3. If something is bothering you, don't be afraid to talk about it.
"Love My Lips" is a scene featuring Larry talking to a Dr. Archibald about his fear of losing his lips due to a series of unfortunate childhood events. Although this is an incredibly silly song (duh), there is some truth behind the concept. Someone once told me that no matter how little it may seem, if something is bothering me then I should talk to someone about it. Don't bottle it all up! Go to a trusted friend or family member and explain how you're feeling. If you simply ask, they will likely be more than happy to listen and pray with you. Along with this, most colleges offer free counseling services. If you don't want to talk to someone you know about your problems, don't be afraid to seek out professional help. Most importantly, before anything else, bring your problems to God in prayer.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5
"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. As iron sharpen's iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." - Proverbs 27:9&17
4. Sometimes you have to wait for the good things in life...
This one comes from the best love song ever written. "His Cheeseburger", narrated by the always romantic Mr. Lunt, features a dude who just really wanted a cheeseburger. He arrives at the (world's creepiest) drive-thru after closing and vows to wait till opening in the morning. Sure, he really wanted that cheeseburger, but he needed to have patience and wait. God's timing is so much more perfect than ours. Trust that He will reveal His plan and provide for you in the right timing.
"Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city." - Proverbs 16:32
5. ...But don't get so fixed on it that you aren't open to other options.
While waiting for the cheeseburger place to open, he notices a billboard for Denny's (bacon & eggs for half price). Although he really wanted the cheeseburger, he was still open to other options. Sometimes we get so caught up in our life plan that we immediately reject anything that doesn't fit. No matter how sure you are of God's plan for your life, you should still pray that God will keep your heart open to anything He may want to change. Sometimes we think something is long term when God only intended it to be for a season.
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." - Proverbs 19:21
6. It's okay to dance around your room with your favorite stuffed animal.
"Barbara Manatee (Manatee, Manatee), you are the one for me (one for me, one for me)..." This is the start of Larry's love song to his stuffed animal which he sings while watching the latest episode of her soap opera. This Silly Song entitled "Endangered Love" shows Larry dancing around the room with his beloved Barbara Manatee even after Bob comes in and tell him to read a book. The take-away from this one is that you don't need to be so serious all the time. It's okay to enjoy watching your favorite show and to dance around your room. It's very hard, if not impossible, to be a light to others when you're in a horrible mood. Take some time to do what makes you happy once in awhile.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." - Proverbs 17:22
7. It's not the size of the gift but the thoughtfulness that matters.
The VeggieTales' Christmas episode is one of my favorites along with that episode's Silly Song. In "Oh Santa", Larry is patiently waiting with a plate full of cookies for Santa to come. While he is waiting, a robber, viking, and IRS agent all come to the door asking for something. Although he does not have what they are asking for, he shares his cookies with them. The narrator describes each visitors reaction as "truly touched by Larry's goodwill." Granted if a robber comes into your house, he will probably not simply accept a cookie, but this shows that we don't always need to give something big or extravagant. Some of the greatest gifts I have ever been given are those that come from the heart not from the depths of one's wallet.
"Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you." - Proverbs 11:17
There it is, seven little gems of wisdom from everyone's favorite cucumber. There were so many more things I could've written, but unfortunately this post is already getting too long. If you're anything like me, you'll probably want to go listen to some Silly Songs so I will leave you with links to some of Larry's other greatest hits.
The Dance of the Cucumber, Larry's High Silk Hat, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps
