In the beginning, when Eliza, Henry, Freddie, the Queen of Transylvania, ect were all born there was no fundamental difference between them as people. They were all born as human beings, one as innocent as the other. The differences that lead them to different places didn't have to do with them, but the family they were born into. As they grew up they received different levels of education, quality of upbringing, and style of clothing. They through these things found their place in life- but one being a queen and the other a poor gentleman or even a flower girl still doesn't make one better than the other. They are all still just people. However, these affect their personality, their social status, their social position, and ultimately their sense of self. Eliza at first sees herself as a nobody and others do too- not because she is actually less than they are but because of external differences. Then, one comment from a belligerent man opens her mind to an idea she's not had before. She could be something more than what she is. She could work in a flower shop or as a lady's maid. There was one who could show her how to gain what she lacks and she could reach a higher potential. At the end of the show she is faced with Henry Higgins who still refers to her as "baggage", a "hussy", and a "squashed cabbage leaf". She makes a very astute observation:
"I should never have known how ladies and gentlemen really behaved, if it hadn't been for Colonel Pickering. He always showed what he thought and felt about me as if I were something better than a common flower girl. You see, Mrs. Higgins, apart from the things one can pick up, the difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated. I shall always be a common flower girl to Professor Higgins, because he always treats me like a common flower girl, and always will. But I know that I shall always be a lady to Colonel Pickering, because he always treats me like a lady, and always will."In the light of this comment you notice that Eliza was only finally able to correctly enunciate "the rain in Spain..." after the only instance of polite and compassionate understanding Higgins shows her the whole show. It's when she is shown that she can indeed be a lady that she begins to become one.
Like Eliza and all the rest we come to this earth in different circumstances but all having one thing in common- we are all human beings. As such we are all children of our Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to become like he is. He wants us to be ladies and gentlemen- not necessarily in wealth, leisure, and title here on earth but in demeanor and quality. As humans we all end up in a situation like Eliza. We are not all that we can become. We see ourselves as mere humans, better or worse than the next person, stuck in our lot in life. Now, as far as social status and earthly things we may or may not end up somewhere other than where we started- but the Holy Ghost whispers to the heart of all men- "You are meant for higher things than this world. You are a god in training." When we hear this we have two choices- we can continue to wallow about in the low and simple ways of the world or we can listen to his voice and seek the one who can help us change and receive the things we've been told we can achieve. In fact, if we will seek this being and do everything we're asked to do and keep going- even when it's 3 in the morning and we have a splitting headache- we will find the end results will far exceed our wildest dreams. We will find ourselves not just as ladies and gentlemen, but gods and goddesses. Unlike Henry Higgins, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ- the duo tasked with molding us into a new creature- never view us as a squashed cabbage leaf. We are all, even in our lowest and basest state, heirs to a throne and they will always treat us like that. Sometimes that means we'll get reprimanded. Sometimes we'll be asked to do difficult things and stretch ourselves immensely. And some days we're going to feel like they don't love us, have forgotten us, or have given up on us- but they never will. If anyone quits it will be us- don't do that.
You are not a squashed cabbage leaf.
Come unto Christ, you are worth the world to Him and his only goal is to get you back to your rightful place along with him and our Heavenly Father. Trust him and follow him. Think of what's at stake! Eternal life. Worlds without end. Eternal families. Oh, won't it be lovely.
