The Original Cinder Girl

The ever popular John Mayer (no relation) once versed these words, "So we keep on waiting…Waiting on the world to change." These words seem to be so evident in our culture, especially amongst the youth, who, with fervent passion, desire to see change, but simply wait for it to grace the front pages of the Sunday morning paper. What is it that they are waiting for? When will it come? And if we all sit idly, who will produce this change?

The image shown in this blog, The Original Cinder Girl, reminds me of a biblical view of how one should cause a wise and beneficial change in the world. Note how the Cinder Girl lived her life. With humility she set to her work, in spite of the harsh criticism of those surrounding her. Her heart did not grow faint of the things she loved; marked by her constant sitting near the fireplace accompanied by her favourite book. With a heart full of admiration for all things good, she patiently dreamed of change, and, when the opportunity arose, she seized it with both hands and risked her every comfort to seek out what she knew to be right. Humility. Sincerity. Patience. Risk. Triumph.

Humility and Sincerity. "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle…But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was in me."(1 Corinthians 15:9-10) It is with humility that Paul admits to his falling short, his unworthiness to be an apostle of God's word. It is with sincerity that Paul receives grace, accepts his responsibilities as a follower of the Most High, and with his every strength seeks to bring God glory.

Patience."Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass." (Psalm 37:7) Are you familiar with Disney's rendition of Cinderella? The harassment of the poor heroine was nearly nauseating. Hard work was foiled. Hopes beaten down. Loves removed. But the young woman prevailed. She did not bow to the actions of her antagonists, did not wane, did not conform. With grace rarely seen, the cinder girl waited patiently for an open door to freedom…to change. In the words of the sentimental community of authors, she was waiting for her "Happily Ever After."

Risk and Triumph. I am reminded of Elijah and the events on Mount Carmel. The aging prophet risks his image…his reputation…his life…by challenging the prophets of Baal for the sake of God's ultimate glory. At the peak of the ordeal, Elijah makes a simple prayer. "Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again." (1 Kings 18:37) His sacrifices prove worthy as fire spouts from heaven, destroying the sacrificial cow and any remnants of the alter itself. God is triumphant, and as a result, Elijah's personal sacrifices do not return void.

Humility…Sincerity…Patience…Risk…Triumph

May I reverse Mr. Mayer's lyrics? As worded by another Mayer, I resonate that I am not simply waiting for the world to change by our means, I am waiting for God to change the world; I, waiting patiently, will wait for the day in which He uses me, with a sincere desire, willing to risk it all, and in the end, I will be triumphant in what He sets me to do.

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;

Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,

And with my song I will praise Him."

~Psalm 28:7

1000 Words (more or less)

There is only so much I can say. Simply that death, as so many of us have been told, is a part of life. But is this so? Is death truly a part of life? Or is it simply that life is the smallest part of such a vast eternity. Each breath seems so small...
we inhale,
exhale,
inhale,
and then, after our chest rises and falls many times...it happen upon us that a final breath is drawn and this warm shell we've called home for so long is abandoned. And that is it. We are gone. A faint whisper in the breath of a world that is growing weary of the wind it chases. But, say there is a greater ending than nonexistence. This is the least I can say. That in the midst of a world which has wholeheartedly denied this beautiful ending which I know to be so very real, these images I will share in this journal reveal my Father...an imaginative artist, a brilliant musician, and the very Creator of the life and death we so question.

These photos, some worth one thousand words, many worth more, are the loud shouts of GOD'S creation and an invitation for questions from inquisitive minds.