Cinderella

If anyone knows me very well they know that I love kids. I like kids that are older than 10, Hubby likes kids younger than 10, it's a balance.

My favorite kids are 5th,6th, and 7th grade girls...Probably because I have the same mentality that they do. I like the same music and watch the tv shows they do. I have seen more than one episode of Hanna Montana and I know who Justin Beiber is. I have read the "Twlight" books and have seen the movies. Maybe I can relate because for such a long time I just wanted to be loved for me. So many of girls this age just want them to be loved.

They are in such a transition time in their lives. So many decisions they make during that age affect the rest of their lives. In my experience I have learned that this is when they choose who their friends are gonna be, if they are gonna drink and smoke, what kind of guys they will date. I know that they are not gonna wake up one day and say "I think I'm gonna try some alcohol today." But the type of friends they choose will guide gradually in to the point were they will or will not try alcohol.

The same girls are bombarded with images of girls that are thin and pretty and wear t-shirts that cost $100 and the message girls get is that is what you have to do to be accepted. They are trying so hard to fit in. I want them to know that that they are loved, unconditionally regardless of what they look like or dress like or act like. I want them to be themselves. If they are funny and silly then they need to act that way. If they are serious then they need to act that way.

When you think of people you want to emulate you usually pick a great person; a preacher, a missionary, a great teacher. Someone older and wiser. In my life there have been three people younger than me that I look up to. They are all girls, very strong girls. One of them dances the beat of her own drum and although she has had people tell her she needs to get in step she refuses. Another one looks different than anyone else in her school and she doesn't care. She has decided that if someone doesn't like her that is their lost and no sweat off her back. And the last one has gone through a terrible tragedy and yet she is strong and independent and loves life, but she appreciates her friends and family. This is what I want ALL girls to be, independent and able to stand up against storm that comes up. To be their own person and not an Abercombie & Fitch walking billboard.

I want them to know that they are loved regardless of what they look like or act like. Not only are they loved by me but they are loved by the Creator of the Universe loves them. I want to shout this from the mountain tops. They need to know that they are Princesses, daughters of the KING! All girls deserve to feel like they are Cinderella, they need to feel that way before they turn 40.
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Cinderella

Steven Curtis Chapman


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

She will 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
And she'll be gone