story time!

I heard a story once about a princess. I think her name was Eugenia. I know, I know... but it was a family name.

      People always told Eugenia she was beautiful, and in truth she was, but she only listened about half the time. After all, didn't they have to say nice things to the princess? She only believed the people who didn't seem to be flattering or seeking her favor, people who didn't know her real identity.
      This princess wasn't your usual fluffy dress, tiara, throne-sitting, ballroom-dancing type. No, she hated the taste of wine, listened to folk music, and was quite fond of wearing earthtones and going barefoot. She couldn't dance to save her life, but was very clumsy and often scraped her knees and bumped into things. Even so, she hated sitting on a throne because she really couldn't be still for very long. Eugenia was much happier wandering around the nearby villages dressed as a peasant girl, talking to the people and trying to learn how best to love and care for them. She had once been a rather rotten little girl, but after undergoing a drastic and painful change of heart, Eugenia grew into a gentle and compassionate young lady.
      You can see that Eugenia was nothing like a princess, except that her father was king of a small territory and had become very successful after much hard work, a few wise investments, and a series of fortunate events. He knew how to get a long with humble means, and he knew how to live in prosperity. Her mother was a humble queen who enjoyed helping the servants pull weeds and scrub floors; she made a habit of cooking dinner for the cooks. The royal family enjoyed their financial comfort, but they knew that relationships were the most important investments of all. Unlike many young people, Eugenia enjoyed spending time with her family because she had learned the hard way that people don't last forever. They must be cherished and hugged as often as possible, and Eugenia never let a day pass without saying "I love you," whether in words or actions.
      The time eventually came for Princess Eugenia to move away. After all, princesses don't remain little girls forever; they grow up just like everyone else. She decided that no one in her new town should know about her family. She would tell nobody that she was a princess -- she didn't act like one, so it didn't matter anyway. Eugenia had a lot of clothes, but most of them came from thrift stores, and she never bought anything that wasn't on markdown. Her father sometimes sent her nice gifts, and he always made sure she had everything she needed and more. Eugenia loved her father very much, and she saw his care for her as a sign of his affection; he had worked hard and was happy to be able to provide for her. Eugenia accepted her father's generosity, but never asked for anything beyond what she needed.
      Eugenia was well-liked by many people, but not because of her possessions. She could be temperamental, like most women, but she was known as a person sensitive of others' feelings and eager to love people. She had known the hurt of rejection and ridicule as a child, having always been a bit unique in personality, so she wanted each person she met to feel accepted and valued. Eugenia was by no means good at everything, but she was talented and disciplined, and she learned how to use her gifts and abilities (as well as her personal flaws) to help people. Knowing the danger of pride and self-righteousness (having once been just such a girl), Eugenia made a special effort not to boast or put others down. Still, some of her new friends began to pull away. She loved them, but they did not seem to love her in return, and she couldn't understand why. This hurt Eugenia's feelings very much.
      Eugenia liked learning about her friends' lives and meeting their families, and she had even invited a few to her home as an act of friendship. Sadly, after learning her real identity, some began to view Eugenia as spoiled and unable to sympathize with those less fortunate. This was, of course, untrue. Eugenia's family loved meeting her friends and welcomed all kinds of people into their home, loving them equally and offering nothing but kindness. In the words of her mother, "Once a guest, twice a visitor, three times family!"
      You see, the problem was not in Eugenia's actions, nor was it in her heart. The problem was in the hearts of her enemies. There are many people much wealthier than Eugenia's family, and proudly so. They prance around their mansions and strut through cities as if the whole world should make way for their coming. There are also many people who have very little, and proudly so. They mope about their shanties and whine at the grocery counter, as if the whole world should take pity on their humble state. Eugenia's family did neither, for they knew that man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.  They trusted Him to provide for their needs, and they never hesitated to give out of their excess. Eugenia found her worth as a creation of God, the object of His redemption, and she valued others as such. Unfortunately, too many people find their worth in dollars and things and comparison. Because of their corrupt hearts, they made Eugenia the victim of stereotype, of prejudice, of hatred. You see, the problem was not that Eugenia was a princess. The problem was that Eugenia showed love unconditionally, even to those who did not know how to receive love.

"This I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you." -Jesus (John 15:17-18)