The Real Cinderella

Friday night was a magical night for me.  At 5:30 PM, Clinton and I ventured over to our church only to be greeted by a candlelit walkway, a drawbridge entrance, and an echanted world.  This wonderland was just waiting for the arrival of it's special guests; little girls and their daddys. One by one the girls arrived, wrapped in tule, satin, and topped with curls.  Each one beautiful, innocent, and special.  They confidently marched around their kingdom knowing it was a perfect fit. They giggled with fellow princesses, dined with thier kings, and twirled to their heart's content.  Yes, as I listened to disney tunes (Clinton got to sing them with a friend, a dream come true!) and watched these precious girls flutter about, so secure in their role and in their world, I prayed that this fairy tale would never end for them.  I saw in that moment, the fleeting life of innocence, and dreamed about that kind of freedom. Those princesses know who they are, what they're worth, and to whom they belong. How quickly our hearts forget.

Yesterday, I did not feel like a princess, in fact, most days I don't feel like a princess, and it is a constant  struggle.  Throughout my life I have chosen to believe lies about who I am, and my value. Whether consciously or not, I quit believing I was a princess a long time ago.  I started basing my self worth on other people and expectations, and quit listening to my King. I have struggled for years to find that princess again, and I don't think I'm alone.  This is no new revelation, women today, and even men, struggle to feel like a person of worth.  Somewhere between childhood fantasy and adult reality, we stop believing.  We stop believing we are good enough, attractive enough, smart enough, that we contribute enough, that we are worthy of anything more than peasant status.  Well today I have news for you, and for myself; we are enough. 

The Bible tells us that WE are Christ's bride! In Isaiah 61, we are a display of HIS SPLENDOR!
In Psalm 45, He is entrhalled by our beauty! In Galatians 3 and thoughout the Bible we are called God's children! If we are children of the King, then sister that makes us princesses (or princes)! Why do we let our insecurities, self doubts, worldly expectations, and lies keep us from accepting who we really are?! God's Kingdom is ours if we would just start believing that is where we belong! Now, I know this is all easier said than done, I have known for years that I am valued by God, yet knowing is different than believing. I want that to stop, I want to start believing that I'm a princess, living where I belong, and trusting who I belong to! I want to giggle with joy and twirl everyday, basking in the beauty of who I am!

Ladies (and men), I think that we need to start praying for a revival of our self worth.  I think that we get so bogged down with feelings of  unworthiness, in so many areas, that we can't see the beautiful princess God has underneath those old rags! So today I want to say a quick prayer for you, and may we begin asking God to change our perspective, to show us that princess still within!

Heavenly Father,
I love you, and I am so grateful for your love in our lives! Father forgive us for not seeing who we truly are in you! Lord your word says that we are beautiful in you sight! That you love us UNCONDITIONALLY! That means there is nothing we can do, or look like, or think, that would make you stop loving us! If we allow you, we can radiate your splendor!  Oh Father! May we start believing you! Please take our wrinkled, dirty garments, and replace them with a gown! I pray that all of us would remember that we are daughters and sons of a KING, and there is nothing more beautiful than a precious, innocent, radiant child! Thank you that you are able to take our insecurities and turn them into something beauiful! May we always remember that you take joy in your children, and that we are a part of that family! In Jesus Name.
Amen