As a child I grew up watching Disney movies. The stories are almost always the same, girl meets boy, girl falls in love, tragedy strikes and the boy fixes everything, boy and girl get married and have a happily ever after ending. One story, however, stuck out in my mind as different, the story of Beauty and the Beast. I used to watch this movie over and over so that to this day, my mother knows every line of every song. Belle is a special girl, unlike the other Disney princesses, she didn’t need to depend on a man. She influenced my childhood and has impacted my journey into adulthood.
Belle always has a book in her hand, she possess brains, beauty and independence; there is more to her than meets the eye. She has inspired my own reading habits (I never leave the house without a book) and her uniqueness taught me how to go about achieving my dreams. She is inquisitive, compassionate, and always kind towards others. I’d like to think that I am the same. She taught me how to have confidence in my own abilities.
Belle never once considered marrying Gaston for his good looks or his “charm”. She always knew that she deserved better. I follow her example by not settling for anything less than what I know I am capable of or what I know I have earned. Belle has always struck me as a very kind, loving girl and as a role model to me. She has taught me how to think and act as an individual and by her example, I know situations aren’t always what they appear to be and that happiness depends on your outlook of the situation.
She has taught me that anything can
happen if you’re willing to let it and that sometimes, good things really do
come to those who wait.
It might seem strange to be inspired by a Disney character instead of a great work of art or a prominent historical figure, but as a child I was drawn to Belle. Looking back I’m grateful that this Disney princess was present in most of my childhood to inspire me on a daily basis rather than a onetime school lesson. I still find Belle’s character inspiring to this day.
The moral of this story is that there are lessons to be learned even in children's stories. In fact, I think children are a lot smarter than adults in some cases. Children know how to listen, (that doesn't mean they always do...) they absorb information like a sponge, and they know how to just be themselves. They don't care about what others think of them, because they're busy being cute little kids! Jesus tells us to be child-like in our faith because kids have a blind trust.
That's what I need in my life. I need to have more trust in what the Lord has in store for me. He's gotten me into Biola, He's given me amazing family and friends, He's provided for me in so many ways, and yet, I still worry about my future.
This Sunday, as I was sitting among my church family, the message spoke to me. Our pastor was saying that often times we ask God to fix all our problems and we pray and focus all our attention on, what we think, is the mountain in front of us, instead of the God behind us. Our God can not only move that mountain, but he can equip us so that we may climb to the peak. We just need to focus on Him, and what He can do, instead of what we want Him to do for us. Instead of aligning Him with our will, we need to align ourselves with His will.
It seems painfully obvious as I sit here and write, but sitting in church, I had an epiphany. I need to wait on His timing. I can't ask Him to put me on a different path if this is where he wants me.
I'm not sure how I went from Beauty and the Beast to Gods plan for me, but there it is, Belle just inspires me!
"It's know no wonder that her name means beauty / her looks have got no parallel / But behind that fair façade / I'm afraid she's rather odd / Very different from the rest of us / She's nothing like the rest of us / Yes, different from the rest of us is Belle. " Villagers
-Grace
That's what I need in my life. I need to have more trust in what the Lord has in store for me. He's gotten me into Biola, He's given me amazing family and friends, He's provided for me in so many ways, and yet, I still worry about my future.
This Sunday, as I was sitting among my church family, the message spoke to me. Our pastor was saying that often times we ask God to fix all our problems and we pray and focus all our attention on, what we think, is the mountain in front of us, instead of the God behind us. Our God can not only move that mountain, but he can equip us so that we may climb to the peak. We just need to focus on Him, and what He can do, instead of what we want Him to do for us. Instead of aligning Him with our will, we need to align ourselves with His will.
It seems painfully obvious as I sit here and write, but sitting in church, I had an epiphany. I need to wait on His timing. I can't ask Him to put me on a different path if this is where he wants me.
I'm not sure how I went from Beauty and the Beast to Gods plan for me, but there it is, Belle just inspires me!
"It's know no wonder that her name means beauty / her looks have got no parallel / But behind that fair façade / I'm afraid she's rather odd / Very different from the rest of us / She's nothing like the rest of us / Yes, different from the rest of us is Belle. " Villagers
-Grace
My mother taught me to stand up for my beliefs and to be a little different from the crowds. It has certainly helped me in my life!
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