“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
— Ephesians 5:25, NIV
A word of advice. If you’re not prepared to shed a few tears, don’t listen to Steven Curtis Chapman’s song Cinderella in a public place. Trust me.
The other night, Dina and I attended a Stephen Curtis Chapman concert, and when he sang Cinderella, I found myself thinking about the four beautiful princesses God has placed in my life. And sure enough, the tears started flowing.
First, there’s Dina. Nearly thirty-nine years ago, I married the girl of my dreams. And you know what? She still is. She’s beautiful, kind, loving, patient, and supportive. She’s been my best friend and companion through all the joys and challenges of life. I can’t imagine my world without her. And then, wouldn’t you know it, she gave me two more girls of my dreams.
Becca, our beautiful redhead, is a deep thinker with a tender heart for the Lord. She’s an incredibly gifted musician, anointed worship leader, loves sports, and has a fun-loving spirit that has brought so much joy into our lives.
And then there’s Sarah, our little blonde princess. She loved sports, too, but she was just as happy wearing frilly dresses with puffed sleeves, dressing up in crazy costumes, and having tea parties. She has a sensitive heart for others and a wonderful gift for speaking into people’s lives with love and grace.
I’m a girl dad. And I love it. But God wasn’t finished.
Sixteen months ago, along came Annie, our first grandchild. And oh, my goodness… that little girl has captured my heart. She calls me something that sounds vaguely like Grandad, but she has “Mimi” figured out perfectly. She gives the sweetest hugs, loves her books, and has a precious way of backing herself into our laps, ready for another story. What a gift.
Four beautiful girls—four princesses. And I love every one of them more than I could ever put into words. Perhaps that’s why Chapman’s song touches me so deeply. I know how quickly time passes. It seems like only yesterday that Becca and Sarah were little girls running around our house, and now they’re grown women with lives and families of their own. And little Annie? I know all too well how quickly these precious years will pass.
Sometimes I wish I could slow down the clock. But as I listened, another thought came to mind. Jesus has a Cinderella, too. Scripture calls the church the bride of Christ. And Christ loved His bride so much that He gave Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25). If I love my girls this deeply, how much greater must His love be? He knows us completely, faults and all, and still calls us His own.
Chapman’s song reminds me how fleeting our treasured moments are. But Jesus promises something more. He’s preparing a place for us and will come again to take us to be with Him (John 14:2–3).
Forever.
No final dance. No last goodbye. No moment when the clock strikes midnight and everything is over. Just the joy of being with the One who loves us beyond anything we can imagine.
I’m so thankful for my four Cinderellas. I want to treasure every moment God gives me with them. And I’m thankful for a Savior whose love carries us beyond time and into eternity. Life will bring changes, and there will be tears along the way. But one day, He will wipe away every tear.
In Jesus, the best is still to come.
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