November 27, 2009
From Cinders to Cinderella
I hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends. From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend",
Angela Craig.
Today's Truth
Isaiah 61:3 (HCSB) "…to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the LORD, to glorify Him."
Friend To Friend
At a recent women's conference, a friend's young daughter handed me a picture she had colored for me. At the top of the masterpiece were the words, To Angela, From Megan and below was an image we are all familiar with, Cinderella. There Cinderella stood in her beautiful dress, shimmering in pink satin with lavender silk ribbon strung by jewel-colored bluebirds along the bottom of her flowing gown. The drawing created the perfect picture of beauty and innocence just as I remembered from the hundred of times I had watched the movie Cinderella as a child and even as an adult.
Tears began to run down my face. The tears surprised me. After all, it was only a picture of Cinderella. I dismissed the tears as just a reaction to the fact that I have boys who would never think of coloring such a beautiful picture for their mother. (They might bring me the gift of a dead bug or a Lego creation, but never a lovely portrait of Cinderella!) As the day went on, the picture of Cinderella never left my mind and I knew there was a much deeper message in my tears than I had initially thought.
While growing up, I always dreamed of being Cinderella - the Cinderella in the picture that Megan colored for me. Not merely for her beauty or for the fairly tale ending of the prince on the white horse (although, I'd be lying if I told you that was not part of it). I also desired her complete freedom and hope but it seemed I was always the girl of cinder and ashes waiting alone at the fireplace before the ball, imprisoned by circumstances that left me with no self-worth ... until I met Jesus.
This was the reason for my tears. They were tears of joy because I can honestly tell you that a relationship with Jesus Christ can and will change your life from a girl of ashes and cinders to a girl of beauty. They were also tears of pain for any woman who does not know that her life can be completely different by taking the risk to find out who Jesus really is.
You do not need to wait alone by the fireplace anymore. Jesus is waiting. He is that Prince on the white horse and so much more! Remember, you have all your Girlfriends in God that want to join you on your journey of faith. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. He wants to break your world wide open and show you the possibilities! You are invited to the ball my friend, but you must take the first step out of the ashes. Will you take that step today?
Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me just as I am. I praise You for being everything I need in my life. Please help me to keep my eyes on You and value Your opinion above all others. I choose to recognize my worth in You and today I celebrate the fact that I am Your daughter, loved and chosen.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Now it is Your Turn
1) Who do you identify with more, Cinderella waiting by the fireplace, or Cinderella at the ball?
2) Do you have the life you always dreamed of? Has your prince come? So often we expect man to meet our needs but the Bible teaches us that this is impossible. Only God can meet our needs. Revelation 6:2 refers to Jesus as the Prince on the white horse. Revelation 19:11 calls him "faithful and true." Reflect and journal on one expectation that you could allow God to fill for you.
More From The Girlfriends
Consider reading Gwen Smith's book, Broken Into Beautiful as she invites you to experience how the unconditional love of Jesus can change your life. Then stand back and watch the wonder of grace at work. He is willing to eternally forgive and to transform your life into something beautiful.
Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
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Originally published Friday, 27 November 2009.
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