The reason we enjoy fairy tales—more than enjoy them—the reason we identify with them in some deep part of us is because they rest on two great truths: The hero really has a heart of gold and the beloved really possesses hidden beauty. 

If the narrative of the Scriptures teaches us anything, from the serpent in the Garden to the carpenter from Nazareth, it teaches us that things are rarely what they seem, that we shouldn’t be fooled by appearances. 

Your evaluation of your soul, which is drawn from a world filled with people still terribly confused about the nature of their souls, is probably wrong.

Yes, we are not what we were meant to be, and we know it. If, when passing a stranger on the street, we happen to meet eyes, we quickly avert our glance. Cramped into the awkward community of an elevator, we search for something, anything to look at instead of each other. We sense that our real self is ruined, and we fear to be seen. 

Every woman is in some way searching for or running from her beauty and every man is looking for or avoiding his strength. Why? In some deep place within, we remember what we were made to be, we carry with us the memory of gods, image-bearers walking in the Garden.

The question every woman is asking goes something like, “Am I lovely? Do you want me?” The question every man is asking is, “Do I have what it takes? Am I adequate?” As men and women, we want to be chosen for different reasons, but we both want to be chosen, to be welcomed into the heart of things, invited into the Drama to live from our heart.

Brent Curtis & John Eldredge — The Sacred Romance (pp. 92-97)

It’s interesting; there’s definitely something about fairy tales that speaks to our hearts and souls. There seems to be something broader, deeper, more meaningful going on than what meets the eye. Our hearts are drawn to fairy tales because sometimes the truths our souls need to hear won’t listen if they are spoken in plain language.

What does this sentence say to you?

Your evaluation of your soul, which is drawn from a world filled with people still terribly confused about the nature of their souls, is probably wrong.

We are simply products of our conditioning from our caregivers, our loved ones, our community, and our culture. How can we be sure the culture we’re surrounded by understands the evaluation of our souls?

We go to those around us to answer the greatest questions we have for ourselves: am I good enough, am I lovely, do I have what it takes, do you want me? Yet, they are helpless to answer those important questions for themselves. What makes us think they can answer those questions for us?

What would it take for you to believe—truly believe—that you actually do have a heart of gold and really do possess hidden beauty?

Even if those that know you best and love you most tell you everything you ever wished to hear; it wouldn’t be good enough unless you take the risk to believe those things about yourself.

We’ve all been invited into a Drama to live from our heart, but we get sidetracked by lesser dramas that entangle us for years. How many years must go by before we’re willing to accept ourselves, believe we have a heart of gold, and allow our hidden beauty to shine forth?

Consider today the evaluation of your soul and consider what living from your heart might look like.

Have a blessed day.

Peace and Love,

~Travis