Courage & Kindness (the new Cinderella movie)

    

    "Always be courageous and kind." ~mother to Ella.

   "I forgive you." ~Cinderella to her step-mother.

So, yesterday my friend and I went to see the new Disney Cinderella movie. I'll admit I was a little worried I wouldn't like it. I was't a big fan of Maleficent because I felt it changed to much and I was afraid this movie would do the same.

I was wrong. The movie was VERY close to the original Cinderella movie and it was just wonderful. But that's not what I want to write about. I want to write about Cinderella and the step-mother (I'm not going to use the word evil here even though she did do some pretty nasty things.)

Cinderella was the girl all of us grew up with and loved. Kind and compassionate, and being the perfect example of a gentile spirit. The step-mother was just like we remembered, only a little more determined. So why do I want to write about these two characters and not the love between Cinderella and the prince? Simple. Cinderella and the step-mother are two perfect examples of how people choose to act in tough circumstances.

Let's start with the step-mother. In the movie she tells Cinderella she fell madly in love with her first husband and had two beautiful girls. Then her husband died and she was devastated. She married a second time, Cinderella's father, for the well being of her girls but that husband died too. So now she was left alone, having to provide for her two girls on her own, and she would never get a happily ever after. The step-mother can represent someone who has some major storms in her life and instead of turning to God for help, she becomes a bitter person to the very end.

Now let's discuss Cinderella. She's a young girl who's happy and life is good. Then tragedy strikes and she losses her mother. Instead of becoming bitter she continues to be kind. Her step-sisters talk bad about her but she still shows them compassion, her father dies and her step-mother makes her a servant girl in her own house! I don't know about you, but by this point I would be a very bitter and mean person. Cinderella is still kind, and let's be honest, it takes her great courage to get up every morning and be kind with all that has happened to her. Cinderella can represent someone who has major storms in her life, but she clings to God and still shines for Him!

The one thing that I think really got me in this movie was when Cinderella looks at her step-mother and tells her she forgave her. The step-mother didn't ask for it, Cinderella just gave it freely. Now I'm not saying Cinderella is Jesus, but how many times a day does Jesus look at us and says "I forgive you." when we don't ask for it? 

I believe this movie is amazing and has many lessons that everyone can learn. I love the classic Cinderella, but this one really makes you see why the storms of life can't take your light for God away and how they can't last forever because God won't let them. You need to only cling to Him!

Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible- part 5

Wow! This is the last installment of the Proverbs 31 Women in the Bible where the Old Testament is concerned! I've really grown in my faith while doing this series and the "Other Women of the Bible" series! So, let's look at some great role models of strong, Christan woman virtue.

Jehosheba: In 2 Kings 11 we meet this loving aunt. She risked her life to save her nephew from her mother. Then, she acted as his mother and raised him to know and worship God. He became a righteous and God-fearing king because of this!

Esther: Well, the whole book of Esther is about this young woman who was an orphan who became a Queen. With her trust in God, she saved her people from being completely wiped out! Her courage is outstanding and so inspirational!

The Psalms Girl: Okay, so I know most of the book of Psalms was written by David. But the book of Psalms has comforted me on a daily bases. Therefore, I like to believe there is a Psalms Girl in all of us. A girl who runs to God about everything and loves to praise Him!

Song of Songs Woman: The book of Song of Songs is a love story. We do not know the name of Solomon's bride in this book. I think she gives the best advice any girl can follow and that is to not be quick to wake up love. Take your time and let God pick the guy and fall in love with each other with Him as the center of the relationship!

I am in love with this series and I'm looking forward to getting into the New Testament soon. I hope y'all have enjoyed this too!

To Thaw A Frozen Heart

So I just watched Frozen for the first time on Friday night! Needless to say, I loved it! While I was watching the movie I saw some lessons in it that I really wanted to talk about. So on Saturday night, I watched it again and wrote down my thoughts on the Biblical lessons that the movie could teach someone.

The first thing that caught my attention was Anna's love for Elsa. Anna never gave up on Elsa, she was always knocking on Elsa's door and letting Elsa know she was there for her. I thought of this verse during that part: "'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.'" (ESV) Also, everything Anna goes through to find Elsa, I thought of all that Jesus went through for us. Finally, the part that really stuck out to me was when Anna was singing to Elsa trying to clam her down and Elsa was consumed with her worry. Jesus stands there during the hard times in our lives and waits for us to take His hand for help.
Second, Anna's personality reminded me of a person who has a relationship with Christ and tries to get to know Him more and more everyday. Elsa's personality reminded me of a person who tries to do everything on their own and doesn't necessarily trust God.
The third thing was, even though Elsa was trying to protect Anna, how Elsa kept shutting Anna out. The thing to remember is don't shut the people out that God places in your life. They are there to help you and are a part of God's great plan for your life.
Now lets talk boys and relationships! Hans represents the guy who is only interested in you because he can get something. Hans wanted the palace and really didn't care about Anna. Also on that note, don't go looking for love. Love normally finds you when you aren't looking for it. Anna and Kristoff are examples of that. Kristoff respected her, cared about her, was truly concerned about her health, and wanted to protect her. The trolls also made a good point that everyone is a "bit of a fixer uper." Also, the first guy isn't always the right guy.
Finally, don't judge someone by their looks. Elsa had a good heart and was trying to protect everyone, but when people found out they thought she was a monster. Knowing that people would judge her made her shut people out and if people hadn't judged what good could Elsa have already done? It's the same way in life. Don't judge a book by it's cover and as the body of Christ we all have gifts that are going to help everyone.
So there are Biblical life lessons from Frozen.