Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The next story on the blog is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Everyone knows the story of the curious little girl taking a walk in the woods when she comes upon a house… When no one answers the door, Goldilocks walks straight in. On the table she finds three bowls of porridge and decides to eat from all three bowls. The first bowl is too hot. The second bowl in too cold. The third bowl is just right, so she eats the whole bowl.
Then she sees three chairs and decides to take a rest. Goldilocks sits in the first chair which is too big. So she moves to the second chair which is too small. The third chair is just right… but then it breaks, and she falls to the ground.
Still wanting to rest, Goldilocks finds three beds. She lays in the first bed. It is too hard. So, she lays in the second bed. This one is too soft. The lays in the third bed, this one is just right.
Then the owners of the home came back!
“Someone’s been eating my porridge.”
“Someone’s been eating my porridge.”
“Someone’s been eating my porridge and they ate it all.”
“Someone’s been siting in my chair.”
“Someone’s been sitting in my chair.”
“Someone’s been sitting in my chair and the broke it up.”
“Someone’s been sleeping in my bed.”
“Someone’s been sleeping in my bed.”
“Someone IS sleeping in my bed…”
Goldilocks wakes up, screams, and jumps out the window. Never to be seen again.
*Disclaimer* Before I start my Christian parallel perspective on this story, please know these ideas are not 100% original. As I was doing my research (google Goldilocks+ Christianity), I learned that this story is used often in apologetics (defending the faith) and in showing complacency. So, I plan to use a little of both and put a little spin on the story.
Let’s start in the beginning. Once upon a time… ok, so I did not actually use those words…
Goldilocks was taking a walk in the woods… wasn’t Little Red Riding Hood also taking a walk in the woods? I wonder if the woods should be symbolic of something? Both of these ladies were on a journey in the woods. They both deviate from their paths. Little Red was distracted by flowers and then forgot the wisdom given to her. While Goldilocks is just a curious little girl who goes uninvited into someone else’s house.
Maybe the forest/woods is symbolic of this world we are living in. That path they are on, they probably should have stayed on it. The Bible tells us there is a path that leads to life and a path that leads to destruction. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
But they didn’t stay on that path… and guess what? We don’t always stay on it either. For all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Unlike Little Red, Goldilocks leaves the trail out of curiosity looking for something more. When she enters the Bear’s home, she has no regards for whose home, belongings, or life she may be imposing on. She is only concerned with her own happiness.
She sees three bowls of porridge and tries each one. One is too hot. One is too cold. One is just right. We do this in life too. We try all the options and make a decision based on our emotions, preference, or even just on the spur of the moment. It’s like we are constantly shopping for what makes us happy. If we don’t like it, we put it back on the shelf and try something different. I’m not saying this is all bad. Our feelings and preferences are a good thing to help guide us. But they should never be allowed to make decisions for us, especially in areas of faith.
So next Goldilocks comes to three chairs. Once again, she tries them all out. The first one is too big. The second one is too small. The third one is just right. She found what made her happy. But guess what- it broke. Whatever it is that you are chasing to make you happy- money, love, family, fame, status… it will not satisfy. There is only one thing that can satisfy your thirst- the Living Water- Jesus. Someone needs to tell Goldilocks this.
Still searching for whatever her little heart desires, Goldilocks decides to take a nap. She comes to three beds. One is too hard. One is too soft. The other is just right. She falls asleep…
Then the owners of the home come back.
They are a bear family who notice that someone has been eating their food, sitting in their chairs, and sleeping in their beds. In the stories, they simply point out that this is happening. How do they feel? What will they do?
I don’t know… what would you do?
Would you yell at her, call the cops, and demand justice? Maybe.
Or would you call her back, invite her for breakfast, and get to know more about this curious girl?
Personally, I’d do the first. There was an intruder in my house!!!
But as I look at this example, what a perfect opportunity this Bear Family would have to witness the love of Jesus to this little girl who is clearly searching for something… she just doesn’t know what.
Which character do you relate to? Be honest. Are you a Goldilocks- searching and curious following her heart… or are you a member of the Bear Family who has the opportunity to demand justice or show grace?
Would you use this as an opportunity to share the Gospel?
Would you see this curious young girl as a potential follower of Jesus?