A Cinderella Story
The other day I was at a friend’s house when an Amazon package arrived for her four-year-old daughter. The package was a shiny new pair of black patent leather tap shoes. With the help of her older sister, the little girl opened the package and brought the shoes to her mama. She asked to put on the new shoes and gleefully climbed in her mama’s lap. Her face was full of joy and anticipation. But the shoes were too small. The little foot, so adorable and tiny, could not be pushed into the yet tinier shoe.
My body tensed up as I watched this scene unfold. The disappointment sobered her precious little face. But she did not burst into tears the way I feared.
Her mama calmly said, “Aww, how ‘bout I order a bigger pair right now?” The child willingly agreed, slid off her mama’s lap, and moved on. I was dumbfounded. Unlike Cinderella’s hateful stepsisters, she didn’t try to force it. She was disappointed but resigned, trusting her loving mother would order the right size.
I feel convicted by the sweetness of this child.1 I do not think I am as gracious when things I eagerly anticipate unravel. In fact, I know I’m not. By comparison, I am exceedingly petty.
Perhaps it is just another facet of childlike faith. A faith-filled child trusts the loving goodness of the parent, and even the timing. Do we? Do we trust God’s providential intervention when it feels like our well-laid plans cannot be implemented even if we curl our toes and use a shoe horn? Are we willing to drop it and move on? Can we surrender even when the course correction feels abrupt and hard to understand? Do we trust God’s timing, or are we impatient and stubborn about what we perceive as the ideal timeline?
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-4
Digging Deeper:
Are you trying to force your way where you should be surrendering to God’s better plan?
Where do you most need the humility of a child?
What would childlike faith look like in the hardest situation you currently face?
I am not trying to paint this child as angelic. I am sure she has her moments just like every child, but in this case she truly did exemplify a surrendered spirit.