Better Than a Fairy Tale - Encouragement for Today - September 29, 2025
Better Than a Fairy Tale
ELENA NICHOLSON
Lee en español
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
When you grow up barely surviving, you stop dreaming and hoping. But the God I thought was make-believe had already begun writing a rescue story I never saw coming — one that started with a shoebox and ended with love I never thought I’d know.
I was born and raised in the former Soviet Union. My home was broken both inside and outside. My parents were often drunk, and my little sister and I spent our days looking for food, sometimes eating leaves. Growing up, I liked pink and wanted to play with dolls, but I never thought I would own toys or anything pink.
When I was 8 years old, my parents were imprisoned for stealing. The orphanage my sister and I found ourselves in shortly after was a relief. The adults there helped raise my sister, send us to school, and protect us from our abusive home. Still, we lacked hope. We didn’t have anything to our name and had no reason to expect a future.
At my lowest point of feeling unloved and worthless, God brought me an unexpected gift: a shoebox wrapped in colorful paper.
I was afraid to open it, fearing this was another false hope. What if the inside wasn’t as bright as the outside? But I was amazed that the shoebox was filled with pink gifts — and even a doll.
The most impactful part was a colorful booklet about Jesus and His love for me. I’d never heard of that kind of love before. I thought it was a fairy tale. The Creator of everything came down and died for someone like me? I couldn’t wrap my mind around that. Even in my doubt, I hoped that it was a true story and that maybe there was Someone who watched over me. I began praying to God, asking Him to give me a loving family.
When I was 12 years old, God provided a Christian family who adopted both my sister and me.
God used my adopted parents to show me that He’s a good Father. My parents even learned how to say “I love you” in my native language. When I felt like I could lose their love or like any misbehavior could lead them to send me away, my parents reassured me: “God loves you, we love you, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.”
At first, I felt ashamed and unwanted because of all my brokenness. But God showed me that even in the darkness, He wants me and is near to me when I’m brokenhearted.
As Psalm 34:18 says: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
I can now see His handprints throughout my life. He provides for me, restores my crushed spirit, and is my comfort. I can rely on Him because I know He’s in control.
Lord, Your love is better than any fairy tale. Thank You for always being present, always providing, always being in control. In You, I find everlasting comfort. Help me to trust You in all circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift was a defining moment in Elena Nicholson’s life. After she received her shoebox gift, Elena and her sister were adopted into a Christian family in Missouri, and a year later, both sisters surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Today, Elena shares about the impact of Operation Christmas Child and how the truth of God’s love is better than any fairy tale. When you participate in Operation Christmas Child, you share God’s love and gospel message with children around the world. Prayerfully donating to Operation Christmas Child will help bring the eternal hope of Jesus Christ to children, their families, and their communities.
- $6 sends a child through “The Greatest Journey,” Operation Christmas Child’s 12-week discipleship course.
- $10 covers project costs and provides for ministry materials like “The Greatest Gift” Gospel Booklet.
- $30 builds an online shoebox that goes to the ends of the earth to children in some of the hardest-to-reach places.
ENGAGE
Join Lysa TerKeurst and the Operation Christmas Child team at “Wonderfully Made: A Night To Celebrate the Season and the Savior!” — a joy-filled evening of festive fun, meaningful moments, and a message from Lysa that gently reminds us: The greatest gift of Christmas isn’t found under a tree … It’s found in knowing the One who handpicked you from heaven’s workshop and lovingly crafted you with care. This special event will be hosted at the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, NC, on November 20 from 4-9 p.m. Get your discounted tickets here!
Keep up with Operation Christmas Child on Facebook, Instagram, and X!
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Romans 8:38-39, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (ESV).
Have you ever felt ashamed because of your brokenness? How can Romans 8:38-39 bring you comfort in your moments of shame and despair?
How can you trust God today to restore your crushed spirit? Share with us in the comments!
© 2025 by Elena Nicholson. All rights reserved.
