Cinderella ~ Dreams are Wishes AND Prayers

Cinderella ~ Dreams are Wishes AND Prayers

Cinderella is the story of a girl that is ignored, unloved, forced to act as a servant in her own home. Yet she still dreams of and prays for better days. She works at keeping a good attitude and not being bitter.

Cinderella asks for one thing. She asks to go to the ball. She does not ask to meet and marry the Prince. She just asks for an evening of feeling accepted. An few hours away from her normal dark existence. Yes, she hopes to fall in love and be taken away from her harsh life but would be happy for a few hours away.

When all looks dark and like nothing will work out for her she has her prayers answered! She is given an evening at the ball! Nothing else is promised or asked for. Cinderella is happy and thankful for what she is given.

Surprises await Cinderella! She meets a young man and enjoys the evening with him never knowing exactly who he is. She does not care who he is she just enjoys and is sorry she has to leave. Her shoe “accidently” falls off leaving a clue for the Prince to find her. In the end she finds joy and happiness. Jesus blesses us in unexpected ways.

What do you pray for? Do you pray for the best and only accept what you think is proper for you? Or, do you tell God what you want and let Him decided what is best for you? Would you be happy with what God gives even if it was less than what you asked for? Will you be thankful when God gives you more?

God is not a “Fairy Godmother/father” ready to go “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” and grant your every wish. God is more like a real parent that has all the knowledge and wisdom to know what you really need. What you want may not be what you need and God knows the difference and can/will give you just what you need when you need it. He wants to know what is on our hearts. He wants us to share our sorrow and joys with Him. He wants to turn our sorrow into joy. Yet, He understands to grow into the best person we can be we often need to hurt. Growing pains are never fun.

 So how should we pray? Here are some verses that tell you.

Luke 6:27-28

“But I (Jesus) tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Cinderella could have wished ill upon her evil step mother and sisters. Instead she did her best to care for them. As Christians we can take that an extra step and pray for them. Ask God to bless them.

Luke 11:2

“And He (Jesus) said to them: When you pray, say, Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, let Your Kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is also is in heaven.”

Luke 22:45

“Jesus said, Father, if You will/choose it, take away this cup from Me; but not My will be done, but Yours.”

In Luke Jesus talks about asking for God’s will to be done not our own. He models that when he is praying before His death. He prays asking for the “cup” or death to be taken away. But, He follows up by saying not His will but God’s.

So, how will you pray? How will you look for the answers to your prayers? Will you pray: God I want my money troubles to go away! Let me win the Lottery! When you don’t win the lottery but are offered a job or more hours at work to make money to you accept it as an answer to your prayer? Will you only accept the lottery win?

Cinderella was ready for whatever blessings she received and she was thankful no matter how small a blessing she found. A new little feathered or furry friend or a special trip to the palace were equally enjoyed by her. She actively looked for her blessings. As Walt Disney said, “Cinderella did not sit at home waiting for the Prince to come to her. She got up, dressed and ready and went to the palace.” Will you get moving and look for/work for your blessings? Will you accept, joyfully the blessings God has for you or fuss because they are not what you thought you needed?

I pray to be a little more like Cinderella and willing to take the blessings as they come and joyfully work for them.