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“You sound like a frog, you look like a frog, you must be a frog!” jeered the 1st graders. Jessica bowed her head in shame and ran away. Tears streaming down her face stung her cheeks in the strong, winter chill. “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me,” was not working. These words hurt and they would hurt for a long time. Jessica was living the opposite of a fairy tale, she was, “The Ugly Tadpole.”
Being born a month early was followed with many complications. Her chart was flagged with “Failure to thrive.” As a baby Jessica was rushed to the Children’s Hospital many times where she fought to stay alive. The doctors told Jessica’s parents that she may never breathe or grow normal. Plus, the flap of Jessica’s esophagus was too small for the opening and the croaking sound when she breathed might never resolve itself. Even as a small fragile baby her God-fearing parents knew that although she was physically weak, her spirit was strong. “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. (1John 5:4)”
At the age of seven, Jessica was finally declared healthy and the weekly visits to the hospital were over. The frog like sounds coming from her throat had been corrected just by growing and her breathing was now as clear as a soft blowing breeze. However, the small, scrawny frame of her face only enhanced her bulging eyes. Those eyes were her weakness and every cold came thru them. Regardless of her puffy, huge, pussy eyes, Jessica’s heart was growing and her compassion for others was starting to shine. Classmates made fun of her on a continuous basis and she took it in stride but when their mocking and teasing was focused on someone else, Jessica would stand in the line of fire to prevent them for causing someone else pain too. Her attitude was if you’re going to pick on someone, then, pick on me. Therefore, as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
Junior High didn’t help her confidence, being extremely thin was not popular especially as the other girls were starting to develop. If Paris Hilton was around 25 years ago then, Jessica would have been in like Flynn. However, Bridget Bardoux was the “Va Va Voom” actress at the time. So, once again Jessica drew from the inner strength the Lord had given her and made it her goal to talk and be nice to everyone she could in school. She was liked but not popular but at least the teasing was starting to drop off. “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides…” (1Peter 4:5)
When high school came around Jessica was so strong and confident inside that she ran for class President. Her close friends thought she was nuts because the most poplar boy, Rich Madden, was running against her. Jessica gave her speech with confidence and felt proud no matter what the results were. The votes were not that far apart and even though she lost, she had been the best loser. The Class Advisor gave her the position of “Publicity Coordinator.” Jessica knew the tides were changing. By the time she was a junior she had become President and everyone knew her name. “So, do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)
After graduation Jessica met and married, Peter, a wonderful man that was her hero on a white horse. How did she find such a beautiful man? Well, her outsides finally caught up with her insides. Peter was attracted to her physical appearance but fell in-love with her inner spirit just like everyone else who knew her. Jessica had lived by the words in 1Peter 3:3 “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” The ugly tadpole had transformed into a glorious princess. Who said there is no such thing as fairy tales?
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