Have Courage and Be Kind

A Lesson Learned: by Robin Thomas

Cinderella is probably my favorite fairy tale. I have every version of the story that I can find from classic to contemporary. Some good, some not so good, but my favorite is the Disney 2015 adaption starring Lily James. The Cinderella in this version is the real Cinderella in my mind’s eye. Toward the end of the movie when the prince is in search of the maiden that the glass slipper will fit, they come to the last house. After unsuccessfully fitting the stepsisters the Grand Duke asks if there are any other maidens in the house. The stepmother says, “No” but then they hear a beautiful voice singing Lavender’s Blue:

Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly

And the lambs play,

We shall be safe, dilly, dilly

Out of harm’s way…

The Captain of the guard says, “Then who is singing?”

The stepmother says, “It’s only a servant girl, she’s nothing”

I knew I liked Cinderella for a reason.

I was reminded of the story of the boy David in I Samuel 16 of the Bible.

God commissioned Samuel to go and find the new king that he had chosen from Jesse’s sons. As 7 different sons were presented to him, all healthy and robust, God kept passing them over. “…for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Sam 16:7)

In verse 11 Samuel says, “Are these all the children?”

And Jesse tells him that there is just his youngest who is out tending the sheep.

I never realized how closely these stories paralleled each other.

As the Captain of the Guard searches out Cinderella, Samuel searches out the boy David. The Stepmother shrugged off Cinderella as insignificant, just as David’s father, Jesse, supposed that his youngest son was of no consequence.

Cinderella’s motto for life is “Have courage and be kind.”

David’s motto is “Be Strong and Courageous.”

David says to his son Solomon. “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

(I Chronicles 28.20)

Cinderella lived by the words her mother gave her and David lived by the words his Heavenly Father gave him.

In such uncertain times as these should we not do the same?

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!