This is from the original story of Cinderella, and a section taken from Waking the
 Dead by John Elderidge:
“Have you no other daughters?” “No,” said the man. “There is a little stunted kitchen wench which my late wife left behind her, but she cannot be the bride.” The King’s son said he was to send her up to him; but the stepmother answered, “Oh no, she is much too dirty, she cannot show herself!” But he absolutely insisted on it, and Cinderella had to be called. She first washed her hands and face clean, and then went and bowed down before the King’s son, who gave her the golden slipper. Then she seated herself on a stool, drew her foot out of the heavy wooden shoe, and put it into the slipper, which fit like a glove. And when she rose up and the King’s son looked at her face he recognized the beautiful maiden who had danced with him and cried, “This is the true bride!” The stepmother and two sisters were horrified and became pale with rage; he, however, took Cinderella on his horse and rode away with her.


Its one of the best parts of any story – is it not? – to see the hero or heroine unveiled in all their glory. To have them (finally) rise up to their full height. Mocked, hated, laughed at, spit upon – Cinderella is the one the slipper fits, she’s the one the prince is in love with, she’s the true bride. Just as we are. We the ransomed Church are the Bride of the King’s Son, are we not (Rev **)? We’ve been chosen by him. We are the object of his love. “You have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes” (Songs 4:9). This fairytale is true. I love it that in this passage from the original Cinderella, the King’s son insisted she come out of hiding. Though her family would keep her in the cellar, he’ll have none of that. Come out. You are mine now. Let your light shine before men. No more hiding.
There’s just something about this. This story moves me to a place of awe before my Abba Father.
That’s ME.
Before Christ, I was simply that “stunted, kitchen wench” I couldn’t be the bride. Even after Christ redeemed my life, I lived for years believing the lies that satan fed me. He was telling me the same thing the stepmother told the prince, “She is much too dirty, she cannot show herself.”
And I would hide. I would hide who I am from everyone. I would hide who I am from God. But through all the dirt… He still said “This is the true bride, come out of hiding."
I hear you, Father.
Those lies I was fed are no more.
I am NOT…
Unloved.
Abandoned.
Unworthy.
Dirty.
Disgusting.
Tainted.
Bound.
Through Christ, I AM…
Chosen.
Beautiful.
Pursued.
Loved beyond measure.
Cherished.
Healed.
Held.
Clean.
A daughter of the living God.
FREE.
Words cannot express the amount of love I feel bursting from my chest.
Abba Father… You are so good to me.
