A Cinderella Story

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     I am dark but beautiful, O women of Jerusalem—dark as the tents of Kedar, dark as the curtains of Solomon’s tents.  Don’t stare at me because I am dark—the sun has darkened my skin.  My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn’t care for myself—my own vineyard.  ~Song of Solomon 1:5-6    

     There lives a beautiful Princess.  She was created to marry a most handsome Prince.  This is her destiny.

     Our Cinderella spent much time attending to the needs of her family.  She really loved them and often stretched herself to help them where she could.  She gave of her resources, time, and especially her heart.  This didn't leave much time to attend to her needs and her appearance suffered. 

      When she would go to the market some of the town's people would look at her disapprovingly.  Some even tossed careless comments to her about her attire, frazzled hair, and ways.  This would make her very sad and she would cry.  Even some members in her large extended family would disapprove, which was like a knife in her heart.

     They tried to help her appearance by telling her what type of clothes to wear and how to talk and walk.  Even as she made an effort and did look to work with them, things didn't seem all right there.  The clothes didn't seem suitable for the work she did for her family, and the walk and talk didn't seem genuine either. 

     She knew she looked a mess, but she felt the sacrifice was worth it.  She also felt she was benefitting within, in ways not seen to the natural eye.  So, our Cinderella decided that she had to be genuine and would look to make adjustments only when it seemed her appearance may negatively effect others (not in disapproval, but if it unnecessarily hurt them personally).

     She knew in her heart that she was created for a wonderful destiny.  Her mother told her so and she knew deep down inside it was true.  Although she didn't know if her Prince would want her.  I mean everywhere she went people often talked about what she and her family looked like and what they were doing wrong.  She was aware that they also did the same thing at times, but she really looked to see beyond all that surface stuff.

     There were beautifully adorned people all around her too.  Sometimes she compared herself to them and she felt sad, yet she knew this Prince looked upon the heart, even as she knew she wasn't always perfect there.  Her mom also told her that He was patient, understanding, and unlike others that constantly stressed what was wrong with her, He would help her through.  He was mainly looking for a willing heart.  Her heart yearned for such a love, although she was afraid of what He would think of her for her appearance and behaviors had suffered.

     One day she found herself sitting all alone on the family's front porch.  A gentleman approached her and introduced himself.  It was her Prince.  She was startled to see that his appearance and ways were somewhat of a mess too, by her world's standards that is.  His appearance, He said, was also for the family.  They weren't perfect but He loved them dearly and even sacrificed his life for them.  They didn't always recognize how really beautiful He was, although one day they would and  become united as one. 

     He also assured her that He loved her just as she was, then He sat by her.  She could feel the most incredible beauty and peace emanating out of him.  It seeped into her and warmed her within.  They looked at each other and smiled for they each knew it was a match made in heaven.  The Princess knew she had finally found her heart's home. 

Isaiah 53

Song:  A Whole New World

Further Reading:  1 Corinthians 12-13