Discussing A Fairy Tale

I planned Grandma days with my three oldest three granddaughters.
It was my oldest granddaughter’s turn.
She decided to go to our favorite spot for hot chocolate and a doughnut.
I had two other places in mind for us to go.

We were listening to the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack, at her request.
She wanted to hear the narration again, which explains the fairy tale.
She wanted to talk about it, so I turned off the music.
She had questions about the need for the beast to be loved and to love in return.

We got to our first destination and sat in the parking lot, talking about the fairy tale.
There was a song that talked about, something there that wasn’t there before.
What does that mean, Grandma?
I was reminded how important it is to wisely choose what children hear.

We talked about inside and outside beauty.
We talked about judging someone by the way they look.
We talked about someone being outwardly beautiful but inwardly ugly.
We talked about someone being outwardly ugly but inwardly beautiful.

I reminded my oldest granddaughter that she was beautiful both inside and out.
She smiled and seemed so pleased.
I asked her which is the more desired beauty: the world’s view or God’s view.
Though almost four-and-a-half years old, I was amazed at the depth of our conversation.

The beast needed to love and be loved in return before the last rose petal fell.
If someone only looked at his outer appearance, they would not give him a second glance.
However, Belle, over time, saw kindness in the heart of the Beast.
That something there that wasn’t there before, was the softening of his cold heart.

Lofty conversation in the Hobby Lobby parking lot.
Lofty conversation at any time, if truth be told.
Our conversation was needed for my heart as much as hers.
How soon we forget about the beauty that really matters.

What beauty does social media and advertising promote?
What beauty do men and women spend most of their time pursuing?
What beauty endures?
What beauty is precious to God?

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
God’s truth can be found everywhere, even in fairy tales.
God put His law in our hearts and in our minds. (Hebrews 10:16)
We cannot deny His truth, even though we often try to suppress it.

The Beast was to love and be loved in return.
We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
We all are like the Beast before the Holy Spirit changes our heart.
God changes our heart of stone to a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

What a privilege to hear my granddaughter’s questions.
How grateful I am that I can answer her according to God’s Word.
God’s truth in a parking lot.
Father, open the eyes of my heart; I want to see You.