I met a man......

What if your dreams as a little girl of being Cinderella, being swept off your feet, being loved unconditionally remained a fairy tale? The size of your jeans, that cellulite, those wrinkles on your face, that birth mark, that scar – all of those ‘imperfections’ remind you over and over that you are not good enough. Those nights when you wish someone would look at you and see you for your inner beauty, but instead you get eyes that look through you or past you. Each of us has a good heart and beautiful spirit, a smile, a laugh and a personality that is yearning to have someone take notice. To seek you for what’s inside and bring out that inner treasure that is waiting to be discovered.  

From a very young age, I was given the ability to be discerning and empathetic of others. As young as age four, I remember having the ability to see and feel for others based on their emotions, their personality, and their heart. I could tell when someone was hurting, I wanted to fix and I wanted to encourage. Did I ever expect that for myself? No. As I went through adolescence and adulthood I began to start feeling the insecurities as a woman that most of us face.  I never felt worthy of a lot of attention and often tried to divert attention from myself. Who was I to think someone would want to take interest in who I was?

All along there was a man who noticed me. There was a man who from the instant he knew me thought of me as beautiful, loved and cherished me for what was in my heart. He would lay down his life, go through pain, and offer to take all my burdens from me if I would just allow him to. He saw me for who I was on the inside and I am perfect in his eyes, no conditions, no imperfections. You see, I met a man. I actually met this man a long time ago but I did fully understand until recently. This man is Jesus.

A few weeks ago a song I have listened to many times took on a new meaning and direction in my life. It was actually a song I danced to at my wedding - the song is ‘Cinderella’. The premise of the song is a father writing it for his daughter that he is giving away in marriage. Well this song has a totally different meaning to me. This song now represents what God is speaking to me as my heavenly father.  I have been his Cinderella my entire life, he has danced with me all along;

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders

It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying, “Dad I need you
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy please”

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone …

She says he's a nice guy
And I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, “Dad the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy please”

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone …

Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us
All they had planned
She says, “Dad the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy please”

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
But I know the dance will go on…….