How Real Life Differs From Fairy Tales
Growing up, I loved fairy tales. The dashing prince. The beautiful princess. The epic quest. The happily ever after. Even now, I find myself drawn to stories with similar themes, though I've long since learned that real life rarely follows the fairy tale format. And you know what? That's a good thing!
Our Story Isn't About Us
Unlike fairy tale heroes who take center stage in their stories, we're called to play supporting roles in a much grander narrative. Think about it. In fairy tales, everything revolves around the protagonist. Their wishes. Their dreams. Their journey. But in real life, we're part of God's story, and He's the true protagonist. Our purpose isn't to achieve our own "happily ever after" but to glorify the King of kings.
How Our Lives Are Like a Fairy Tale
I've been knee-deep in fairy tales lately, preparing for our ladies' luncheon and retreat. You know how it goes. Once something gets in your head, it seems to pop up everywhere. Even my morning Bible reading took on a magical quality when I stumbled across Psalm 90:9, which speaks of spending our years "as a tale that is told."
Sitting there in my cozy office, watching the Welsh mist roll across the hills outside my window, I found myself thinking about the many ways our lives are both similar to and different from these beloved fairy tales. In today's devotion, we'll explore some of the similarities, and in the next devotion, we'll look at the differences.
Timing Is Everything
Last Friday started like any other day. Jason and I accomplished various household and ministry tasks and then prepared for our daily walk with Tess, who was practically dancing by the door in anticipation. Just as I reached for her leash, Jason remembered one "quick task" he needed to complete before we left.
You know how those quick tasks go, right? They're never as quick as we imagine. What should have taken five minutes stretched into twenty, then thirty. Meanwhile, Tess's excitement gradually transformed into confused disappointment as she watched us bustle about, still not heading toward the door. Poor pup!
When we finally stepped outside, the weather had taken a dramatic turn. The cold, cloudy day had morphed into a miserable wintry mix of sleet and snow. Our pleasant walk turned into a rushed affair, with all three of us eager to return home as quickly as possible.
Biting Off More Than We Can Chew
Our little terrier, Tess, has quite the peculiar eating habit that never fails to make me chuckle. Despite her boundless enthusiasm for food, she's incredibly particular about portion sizes. Give her a treat that's too large, and she transforms into a whimpering wanderer, carrying the morsel from room to room like it's some great burden.
Just yesterday, Jason gave her a piece of stale muffin, and the drama began. Round and round she went, from the kitchen to the living room, then upstairs and back down again, all while making the most pitiful sounds imaginable. Finally, I took pity on her (perhaps because I just wanted some peace and quiet) and broke the treat into smaller pieces. You'd think that would solve the problem, right? But no! Our clever girl promptly scooped up all the pieces at once and started her woeful procession all over again! Crazy mutt!!!
The Comfort of God’s Everlasting Arms
Have you ever noticed how parents instinctively position themselves to catch their children? Whether teaching a toddler to walk or spotting a child learning to ride a bike, their arms are always underneath, ready to catch their precious ones when they fall. It's a natural response—one born of love and an intense desire to protect.
This morning, as I was reading in Deuteronomy, a familiar verse caught my attention in a new way. "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). I've read this verse countless times, but today, that word "underneath" jumped off the page and grabbed my heart.
Why underneath? Of all the ways God could have positioned His arms—around us, beside us, or even above us—He specifically tells us His everlasting arms are underneath.