Cinderella had it rough. Grief from losing her mom, a step-mother who treated her like a slave, and a steady stream of insults from snobbish step-sisters. Hard knocks life, with a “happily ever after.”
But what if she knew how her story would end?
What if she knew the glass slipper would fit, the prince would be hers, and the castle her new pad? Would she still be so humble? Or would she snap at her sisters–‘I wash floors now, but wait till my time comes!’ ? Maybe she’d be impatient–“Watch out! Don’t you know Im going to be royalty?!” Little acts of service and kindness may have passed her by…uh, duh, I’m owed this treatment. She may have been haughty instead of humble.
Haughty, a terrible trait we may have all worn at some point. Followed closely by Entitlement, which can be a hidden attitude in our heart– maybe not with meanness, but possibly instead with blindness…
Blindness to others. In today’s fast paced, “me” society, humility and community are hard to find. Our faces are more often looking at a screen (phone, tablet, TV) than at other human beings. The shopkeeper ringing you up at the checkout, the waitress taking the order, the guy who held the door open. What about the husband who faithfully takes out trash–or is just plain faithful–, or the mom who stays home with the kids?
Are we owed these things? Do we take this all for granted? Or do we see it as self-sacrificing services, (no matter how “small”), performed by glorious Beings made in the Image of God?
With this in mind, I’m in awe and should be so attentive, so kind, and so humble. But I’m so guilty so often.
I don’t want to miss a single kind look or word, or overlook the little things, like the fact that my B&B host pressed our bedsheets…That took her time—her Time! I don’t want to be too busy when my son brings me a rock from outside. I want need to take time to See.
I am not entitled to ANYTHING. God help me not be a spoiled brat!
If anyone had the right to play King on earth, it was Jesus. But instead he was homeless, washed dirty feet, and spent long days caring for the needs of others. He revealed a never before seen facet of God: Humility.
God identified with a lamb more than a peacock.
His glory is splashed all over the place, but maybe most radiant and hidden is in the simple acts of service, love, and genuine kindness performed by people.
And it makes me wonder: if there is no sorrow or suffering in Heaven, maybe our only chance to care for one another is now. I mean really, is anyone hungry, cold or having a bad day there? Doubtful.
Cinderella never complained about nor refused her load. She probably welcomed any act of kindness like water to dry land. I want to do my best to find all those splashes and see all the amazing people spilling it. And I want to spill as much as I can while I can. Even if I believe a Heavenly Kingdom awaits.
How about you?
Reblogged this on Our Beautiful Mess and commented:
I love Jasmine’s thoughts here about adversity, based on a “Cinderella story”. “But what if she knew how her story would end?” Often I feel that if I just understood why I were going through a trial, I would be able to bear it more gracefully. But perhaps if I understood why I were going through it, I wouldn’t learn what I need to learn, I wouldn’t allow the Lord to polish me as he intends to. It truly is in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10) – when we let Him take us in His hands and bend and brake and polish and mold us as He wishes – that we truly become what we can be, and what He intends us to be.
“And it makes me wonder: if there is no sorrow or suffering in Heaven, maybe our only chance to care for one another is now. I mean really, is anyone hungry, cold or having a bad day there? Doubtful.” Oooh, I just love this! NOW is our time to serve! So let me take every opportunity – today, NOW – to serve, to be kind, to hug more, to say a kind word, to do a good deed, to smile at strangers a bit more. Let me establish a habit of doing that NOW, while its most needed, while I am the Lord’s hands.
Hi Loridawna @ https://ourbeautifulmessblog.wordpress.com
Thanks so much for your deep reflections on this. Thanks for taking it further, awesome! I really love this: “But perhaps if I understood why I were going through it, I wouldn’t learn what I need to learn, I wouldn’t allow the Lord to polish me…” Yes, I would be trying to stop Him or losing my mind at every turn.
And I love how you spotlight our beautiful dance with the Lord…when you say “I wouldn’t -allow- Him to..” Indeed, I believe God is super gentle (though simultaneously Terrifyingly Mighty), but at every turn I see He allows me to choose, He lets me be free, He holds back so I wont hold back with Him. Go all the way with Him, you won’t be disappointed!
And above all, so glad if you’ve been encouraged to bless others more in the Now. Just read at http://www.rosiejensing.com/ that life expectancy is 79years and there’s a phrase “80 summers” of life. Wow, thinking of life in terms of 80 summers, well darn, that does not sound like much! Let’s Love Hard with all we’ve got!
Love to you and thanks SO much for your encouragement, time to this and the reblog! Blessings from Holland for you and your wonderful family,
Jasmine
I love this idea! “But what if she knew how her story would end?” Makes me want to endure through my challenges with less frustration, less impatience. Makes me want to appreciate and enjoy them a bit more, in eager anticipation of the blessings to come after I’ve been polished and prepared in the “furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10).
“And it makes me wonder: if there is no sorrow or suffering in Heaven, maybe our only chance to care for one another is now. I mean really, is anyone hungry, cold or having a bad day there? Doubtful.” Just beautiful. Seize the day!
Thanks so much for your comment and sharing the scripture. I loved reading the whole chapter on your prompt! and regarding the furnace of affliction–thanks be to God, He is the Furnace Himself (proverbs 17:3)!
Blessings–happy to be “playing tag” of encouragement and edification with you this morning. Liefs!
I Truly love this. I started a cleaning business about 17 years ago. I have been cleaning a church for 3 years now, and I hear things like “if we have any leftovers you can have some.” I see people who feel entitled all the time, as if you are there to serve them. I have had to struggle with not letting peoples poor attitudes define me or become resentful. I love the words you have spoken here, because there has been many opportunities in my position to be a blessing to those in need. I need to focus on that more and let the other things go.
Thanks so much for sharing this. While Im so sad these people said-‘have leftovers’ instead of ‘join us’ Im sure I’ve done or thought the same. And who knows, maybe they were respecting that you maybe needed to work at that moment and could not join them.
No matter, we keep loving and keep believing the best of people!
For better or for worse, we don’t know what will happen next in our personal stories. At any time, for any reason or for no reason, catastrophe or good fortune can strike. The things that you are most sure of can turn to ash. So, whatever your station in life, enjoy it while it lasts, because this, too, shall pass. These thoughts help keep me present anchored in the present, not fantasizing or nervous about future possibilities, and I try to stay both grateful and humble.
Thanks so much for this comment–which is a blog post in itself. “..Anchored in the Present, nor fantasizing or nervous about future possibilities” Wonderful Counsel here!
Jasmine, this is so thought provoking/inviting of deep self introspection.
Thank you for your edifying posts.
May they assist our spiritual growth and help us to glorify Him more. Amen.
Thanks so much for your encouragement!