There are so many variations and remakes of Cinderella. My daughter knew that one of them was going to be shown on the big screen and she insisted that we go watch it. I’m a big kid at heart, so for me, that was a no brainer.
As Ella’s (later renamed Cinderella by her step-sisters) mother lay dying, her mother’s last words were for her to always be courageous and kind. This was not the first time she was getting these instructions. This had been a lifetime of her mother sharing these words of wisdom and showing her love, courage and kindness.
After Ella’s father’s death and her step mother and step sisters moved in and took over Ella’s family home of over 200 years, she still displayed kindness. Even when they treated her in the most rotten manner, she showed them kindness. When she was forced to become their helper/housekeeper, to appease her step mother, she still showed kindness even while her heart was breaking for so many other reasons.
Fast forward to the night of the ball. She had just been told in no uncertain terms that she was not allowed to go to the ball, and even had her dress torn to shreds, to ensure that she had nothing to wear. Her fairy god mother had changed herself into a decrepit old lady, begging for milk or something to eat. Even in Ella’s distress, she stopped to take care of others. She stopped crying for a moment to help her and satisfy her need for food. She kept hearing her mother’s words ‘be kind and courageous’. Even though she was not feeling courageous at that moment, she was still kind.
We all know how each version of this story goes. Her fairy god mother transforms a pumpkin for a coach, and Ella gets a beautiful gown and she’s able to go to the ball where she dances and falls in love with the prince. But, imagine how differently the story would have been had Ella not displayed this great level of kindness even though she had every right at that moment to be wallowing in self pity?
Lord, there will be days that I may be struggling with other things in my own life, help me to look beyond self and to look to the needs of others. Help me to be kind to those I meet, not because they may be able to do something in return for me, but because you told me that the least that I do for others, that it’s You that I’m doing it for. Help me not to forget the lessons of being kind and courageous, no matter what I may face.