The Happily Ever After The Stories Seem to Miss!

It's a story as old as time. The fair maiden is trapped in a tower waiting for a prince to rescue her. Dreaming the days away until she spots him in the distance atop his mighty steed. When he closes the final distance her heart knows he has slayed the magnificent dragon. She rejoices because he has shown perseverance all in the name of love. She is secure in the relationship that follows for he has fought almost to the brink of death just to win her heart.

As a romantic at heart, these dramatic love stories captivated my attention growing up. I yearned for a handsome prince to seek me out. I couldn't wait to ride off into the sunset clinging tightly to my one true love. Never mind that I don't like horses and never intend to ride one. :) That didn't matter. I knew some day my love story would say 'and they lived happily ever after.' Well, I'm older now and have grown quite a bit since the age of six. My tower is more like a one room apartment. The space is suffocating and I need a real bathroom with all of it's luxuries! I have twiddled my thumbs for so long that blisters have come and gone. One more moment in what I now call my prison cell and I may not have a single hair on my head left to yank out. You see, I have spent my days yearning for my prince to come only to wake up day after day to disappointment. The stories never mentioned what the princess did in her spare time before the prince. They seem to leave those important details to the viewers' imagination.

Just when I was ready to submit to despair,  I saw in the distance not a horse but a cloud and on this cloud stood a man! A man who shone with radiance and glory. One I knew was not of this horrid place but must be a King from a distant land. My heart pumped vigorously with anticipation and surprisingly He floated to my very window! When He spoke my entire body trembled. "Daughter, why are you locked away in this tower? There is a world out there that needs your beauty and tender heart! The damsel in distress does not become you! Take my hand! There's adventure intended for you!" His words brought promise but I was terrified! To forsake my walls could mean my prince I would miss. This man came to me riding a cloud. Surely, I could trust what He had to say. "Sir, who are you and why have you come?" Could I trust Him? His smile brightened at my question. His eyes full of fire and passion illuminated the room. "I have come to ask for your heart. For I am Jesus and I'm the Prince of all times. This waiting for your love is a waste of your life. I provide the love you need. I'm the One who has come to set you free! Let's jump and take life as it comes because with me life is abundant! And guess what My dear Daughter?! You have your own dragon to slay. There is one out there that will be worthy of your affection, but you will never reach him if you stay locked away. So come with Me and let's enter the battle. For your prince is looking for a queen and you only reach this type of perfection through Me."

Together my Prince and I escaped the dungeon! We set out on the rocky road before us. There were thorns, briers, and bushes galore! Each turn a new temptation to just head back to the tower. I forged ahead worried I was all alone but looking up I saw the cloud. I have still not reached the other side where my earthly prince waits for me but when I do he will know he is marrying a queen!

Ladies and gents, I have learned singleness is a vital time to grow in the Lord. The dark ones have lied to me for so long and the world has been my 'friend.' I have bought into the bogusness that relationships will complete you so just wait around until that special guy comes. Jesus Christ has taught me differently. There will be a guy some day that will allow me his name, but in this moment I have dragons of this life to slay. I have an adventure to live! My heart is not ready just yet for that special time when the season changes. I challenge you young ladies to embrace the King of your heart and watch as life unfolds! True life that keeps you too busy to twiddle your thumbs! Fairy tales have placed an emphasis on the damsel in distress but guys are human and sometimes the dragon may seem to delay their progress; however, when Jesus is breaking down the barriers for the both of you the day you meet will be more precious than silver or gold. You can be a warrior princess ladies! The kind of lady that a Godly man will know can stand through any storm and will never abandon or forsake because Christ has taught her heart not to fear. Wake up every morning with the desire to worship your King and prepare yourself for the adventure of a lifetime! :)

<3 Psalm 18 <3