I love when my kids get excited for family devotions. And I love it even
more when God continues impressing His word on their little hearts throughout the day.
Currently, I've been letting my kids pick a verse to read and discuss at lunch time. They're always super excited that they get to pick, and seem to pay more attention when it's "their verse." Today, my 6yr old daughter picked 1 Samuel 16:7b.
"For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
Perfect. This couldn't have come at a better time, I thought. With all the princess stuff out there, and jewelry, and budding interest in Barbies, and questions about makeup... Perfect timing. So we talked about it. Drew some pretty people with ugly hearts (writing the names of different sins on their hearts). And then some ugly people with pretty hearts (writing Biblical virtues on their chests).
But then a princess movie helped me out...
Later that day, after a few sweaty hours playing outside, we asked a friend if we could borrow a Disney movie- Beauty and the Beast. I remembered loving this movie as a child and wanted to share it's music and magic with my little girl. As I prepped her for the movie though, I realized how beautifully this would tie into our verse for the day. Pretty people, ugly people, one scary beast...but what was in their hearts?
Belle, the main character, was of course beautiful inside and out. This is a princess movie after all. But, her actions so wonderfully illustrated self-sacrifice, patience, kindness and compassion. Gaston was beautiful outside, but not on the inside. He was the perfect picture of an ugly heart full of pride, rudeness and impatience. (
You remember the burping and the endless mirror gazing...) And of course, the beast. He was ugly on the outside and on the inside for a while, until he had a change of heart. Then he began to show gentleness, self-control and started thinking of others before himself.
A Bible lesson? I think so!
We had the best conversation about all of the characters, what their hearts were filled with, and how God can change a person's heart and fill it with good and beautiful virtues. And I don't know about your kids, but mine become totally obsessed with movies and TV shows. So when I can tie in their favorite characters with Biblical lessons...well then I say, "Thank you God for the insight"... and for princess movies.
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