As a little girl, I watched Cinderella and The Little Mermaid and looked forward to the day when I would meet my handsome prince charming. I imagined dancing and singing and beautiful outfits. But now I’ve started to realize that these fairytales taught me more than to just dream about a man.

The Little Mermaid taught me to be original. I do weird things and I get embarrassed easily, just like Ariel. But I’ve come to realize that we are not different from everyone so that we can try to be just like them, but that we are unique for a purpose. Psalm 139:14 affirms for me that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I don’t need to be like other people; my God made me different from other people. I want to thank Him for making me in His image because my soul knows that His works are wonderful.

Cinderella taught me to have a servant’s heart. Cinderella’s stepsisters and stepmother treated her horribly; she was forced to clean the house and take care of the animals, even though her stepsisters never had to clean. Cinderella never complained about her work, she did it with a joyful heart and a willing spirit. I know that “ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23).” I am called to work hard, not for men, but for my God. But Matthew 5:16 reminds me that we are to “Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” I want to serve others with a glad heart, not so that I receive praise, but so that others will see my good God. I want to possess a servant’s heart like Cinderella.

Beauty and The Beast taught me to love unconditionally. The story that had me swooning over Belle’s yellow ball gown also taught me to have compassion, even on those who I (and all of us) don’t think “deserve it.” Belle loved the beast, even though he was harsh, rude, and seemingly unlovable. She loved him in the midst of his anger and sin. God does the same thing with us. When we deserve love and grace the least, our God loves us wholeheartedly. We are His beloved creation, He is the potter and we are the clay. I know that “We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).” I only know what love is and how to love others because I was loved first. I want to love others and show compassion towards them, just like Belle and the beast.

Peter Pan taught me to believe wholeheartedly. Sometimes, we forget that it’s okay to have faith like a child, but Wendy and Peter didn’t. Jesus even told us in Matthew 8:13, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I want to have faith like a child; faith that is unshakeable and always trusts. Peter Pan and Wendy believed in Neverland, they didn’t let other people come in the way of that belief. May my faith be grounded and may I never feel pressured to change my beliefs because of what other people think and say.

Little Red Riding Hood taught me to be cautious and to make wise decisions. We are immersed in a culture that throws lies at us on a daily basis. We hear that we aren’t pretty enough unless we look like _____, we aren’t smart enough unless we get into that Ivy League school, or that we aren’t good enough unless we prove it through trophies and awards. Instead of holding onto and doing what we know is right, we make poor choices and we start doing what everyone else around us is doing. Philippians 4:8 tells us that, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” I want to make wise decisions and think before I act, unlike Red Riding Hood.

The Three Little Pigs taught me the importance of a firm foundation. The pigs with houses made of sticks and straw were ruined, but the pig that owned the brick house was safe and secure. He had a firm foundation. Jesus once told a story about a firm foundation. The man who built his house on the sand was foolish and his house was ruined, but the man who built his house upon the rocks was protected. I want the foundation for my life to be on Jesus and His Word (Matthew 7:26).

Pinocchio, as you might have guessed, taught me to be truthful. And I’m not just talking about whether to lie or tell the truth when someone asks you a question, but about being truthful about who I am as a person. Casting Crowns sings “Not because of who I am/ But because of what You’ve done/ Not because of what I’ve done/ But because of who You are.” I’ve learned that I need to be truthful about who I am. I am a sinner in need of Savior… every single day. I am broken and flawed, but my God is whole and blameless. I want to remember that my God is greater than me and that I need him. Pinocchio found himself caught in a web of lies, unlike him, I want to be found in my true identity as a follower of Christ.