Last evening, my Prince Charming (Rick) and I went to see my childhood favorite, classic fairytale, "Cinderella." This updated movie version was filled with all of the good stuff a great fairytale should be filled with.
Good vs. evil, prince and princess, unexpected twists and turns, some humor, and of course, a happily-ever-after ending.
But, if truth be told, there was so much more to this age-old story narrated by the fairy godmother.
Cinderella had a happy life before the mean ole' stepmother and the nasty stepsisters waltzed their way into the story. Her name was Ella and she was adored by her very loving, kind parents.
Her mother becomes quite ill, but before Ella's mother dies, she gives her young daughter some very good, sound advice:
"Have courage and always be kind."
Ella and her father had a wonderful relationship. After Ella grows into a young lady, her father remarries, but he never falls out of love with her mother. The stepmother and stepsisters turn on Ella after her father dies on a business trip. She is forced to become a servant girl to these evil women who have taken over her mother and father's house.
Her mother's words are etched in Ella's memory. She clings to them when the stepsisters rename her Cinderella. She acquires this new name when the soot from the fireplace in the kitchen has smeared on her face. "Have courage and always be kind."
Even when she's tricked into living in the attic, she remembers, "Have courage and always be kind."
When banned from eating at the dining room table, she remembers, "Have courage and always be kind."
You know the rest of the story, but I encourage you to see this cleverly produced version and be reminded of some powerful life lessons deeply rooted in Scripture.
Many times throughout God's Word we are taught to be strong and courageous. We can hold our heads up because God promises to be with us and to go before us on our faith journeys. He will take care of us and handle our enemies. There's no need to fear. (See Deuteronomy 31:6, 23)
We are also told in the New Testament to be kind to one another. (See Ephesians 4:32)
When truth is absorbed into our lives, life can be full of joy, even in the midst of despair and grief.
I love surprises, and there is a surprise ending to this movie which I was definitely not expecting.
(If you haven't seen it, you may want to stop reading here and go see the movie first.)
Once the glass slipper is carefully slipped onto Cinderella's foot, she and the Prince begin walking towards the door. The evil stepmother, with tears in her eyes, is standing at the bottom of the staircase in total disbelief. Before Cinderella walks away into her happily ever after, she turns around, looks her stepmother in the eye, and with humility and grace, speaks the words, "I forgive you." (See Luke 23:34, Colossians 3:13)
Cinderella turns back around and walks into her new future with her prince by her side, never looking back.
What a powerful ending! She followed her mother's words to the "T" even when life was barely bearable. Then, taking those words to a deeper level, she shows her stepmother the ultimate kindness by forgiving her. Cinderella was now able to move on in her life with a clear conscience and a fresh new start.
Yes, I know Cinderella is a fairytale, but I also know real truth when I hear it. Brilliantly weaved into this classic story of old, were some incredible, timeless truths to be told.
My Pleasure,
Melanie
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