Saturday, February 14, 2009

Not just a Fairytale

I've always enjoyed fairytales. A story of a handsome Prince. A beautiful Princess. Love sought. Romance. Purity. A time when just holding hands awakened feelings deep within. Eyes meet. Heart beats quicken. Pulses race. The unfolding of dreams. Simplicity. Royalty marrying commoner. Identities hidden. Position denied. Glass slippers cherished. Authenticity embraced. Honesty rewarded. Love found. The famous last words, "And they all lived happily ever after". I'm so thankful for their happiness, but the greater point is that they lived.

Often I wish I could crawl inside the pages of those fairytales. Life wasn't perfect. Hardships were everywhere. Damsels were in distress. Dragons needed slaying. Robin Hoods stole from the rich to give to the poor. Wicked witches poisoned apples and evil step-mothers imprisoned step-daughters. Yet, even within all the heartache, there was such passion. Passion to live. Passion to love.

Where are the Cinderella's of our day? Women who rise from adversity because they have been rescued from a life of slavery by the King of Kings? To borrow a title from Robert Munsch, sadly, too much of life is lived as the "Paper Bag Princess."

Circumstances steal our joy. Dragons smash our dreams and breathe fire to consume us. Our castles tumble. Breathing becomes our existence. Routine fills our day. Nothing excites us. We've lost our joy.

Life is meant to be lived. Christ came to give us not just life, but life to the full (John 10:10). Waking up every morning needs to overwhelm us with unexplainable delight. God has given us one more day. The Creator of the Universe meets with us a new each morning. Our Prince has rescued us. Royalty has married commoner. Vows pierced on a wooden cross. Promises made. Sin forgiven. We've been clothed in gowns of righteousness. A tiara of salvation adorns our head. The Kingdom is my royal inheritance. The Prince finds me lovely. I'm His choice for the first dance at the Grand Ball. His Hand is offered. I place my hand, my life, my trust in His.

Happy Valentine's Day Friends! Love to you all!

12 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Very unique post!! I enjoyed it vey much. Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Joy!!

Leah

Sita said...

Wow...a post wih passion...such truth in here...
many times I have asked myself as I looked in the mirror..."why is you face not radiant...why is it covered in shame?"...
As the Psalm says, "Those who look to the Lord are radiant..their faces are never covered in shame..."
That is why I am praying.."Lord, let the truth of my 'princesshood' seep through every cell of my being.."...Thre was one such period in my life..and several people commented that I 'glowed' with the Lord...it is time for me to return to my Lord...Lidia at Crown of Beauty has a post on this theme as well...

Happy Valentines Day, Joy...

Sharon Sloan said...

Just love you, Joy! :)

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

One day...our Prince will come again! :)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Yes, indeedy, he means for us to LIVE...not simply get through.

I'm living in the love he has for me today; I know you are doing the same.

Rest in that truth, friend. And just in case you didn't know it,

I love you too.

peace~elaine

Beth E. said...

What a blessing this post is to me! Thank you so much for sharing it.

Beth

Anonymous said...

It may not be a fairy tale, but we WILL get out happily ever after!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Julie Gillies said...

Loved this! What a lovely fairy-tale post, Joy. I'm right there with you: one hand holding my white, sparkling ball gown, the other holding His. I can picture myself stepping out onto the dance floor to waltz with the One I love.

Beautiful!

Judy said...

Simply beautiful!

Cheri Bunch said...

I love this, JOY! You have captured the truth of the tale. The true story.......our story...........it is lovely! Thank you for this! I am coming back to this one........

You touched my heart! Thank you, my sweet friend, for sharing your gift! And for being YOU!

I love you,
Cheri

Zoe Elmore said...

Joy,
Thanks for your comments on my blog and I enjoyed this post.
You are awesome girlfriend.

Laura said...

Amen! Hope your VD was sweet.

:)Laura

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

I love your post. I am new to the blog community, but am loving meeting all the bloggers that I have been reading for years.

Your blog always speaks to me. Come by and visit me when you have a chance.

Teresa