Open sesame! A part of my childhood welcomed the wonderful world of fairy tales. I wished that I could have Aladdin's magic lamp. If I'd had it, I would have made these three wishes:

• First, I wanted to be rich, not poor like Cinderella. I grew up in a family that started well-off, but since both my parents became jobless, my story became more of a riches-to-rags plot. From the time I was in elementary school till I went to college, my brother and I and sometimes my sister lived in a small part of a distant relative's house.
• Second, I wanted to find Prince Charming like Snow White did. I did not grow up with my parents. After they became jobless, they separated ways. I ended up choosing to live with a distant relative. It's hard to gain love from someone who is not your biological parent. I felt that I was fighting my struggles and life's battles all alone. I thought that Prince Charming would help.
• Third, I wanted to be like King Midas — whatever he touched became gold. I wanted anything that I touched to result in a treasure and, to everybody's delight, make me impressive. Being from a poor family lacking in love, I felt that my achievements could boost my esteem, and that is what I worked towards.

Now, wishing time is over! Being a grown-up showed me that there is no magic carpet ride to my dream life. Life is a real story, not a fairy tale set in a faraway land.

But once upon a time, I found the most wonderful adventure in the most unlikely place: the school where I am now working. I finished my high school there and met a teacher who is more than a fairy godmother. She loved me and pointed me to the most powerful Being, Who does not do magic, but performs miracles and provides for my needs: God! Yes, my teacher taught me about God. While I was like Alice in Wonderland who was lost and couldn't find her way back, this teacher led me to the Way: Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life — all that I need — and all that I was looking for was in Him.

When I was poor, Christ has made me rich — rich in wisdom and strength. Prince Charming? Christ is our everyday protector and the constant lover of our souls. His love is unconditional. Gold? Christ makes available everything that we need — it's just a prayer away.

Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)

Having Christ makes me dwell on what Thumbelina said, "Don't ever wish to be anything but what you are", because in Christ, we can live happily ever after — eternally!

Prayer: Dear God, we thank You for making everything that we need within our reach, because You first reached out to us by sending Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for the love that You gave us that enabled us to have a feeling of worth. May we become good stewards of what You have entrusted to us, and may we continue to share Your goodness at all times. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Ivy Domingo <domingoivy25@gmail.com>
Laguna, Philippines
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