Amazing princesses

I really love mornings with my princess. She served me imaginary tea in bed this morning (which did me more good than a stiff cup of coffee). Then she cuddled up next to me, patted my cheek, and asked me if we could wear "fancy" dresses all day. Yesterday she made my heart pitter-patter with the best compliment I've had in ages. She indignantly huffed at people who don't appreciate her mommy as much as she does, "I don't know why everyone doesn't love you, Mom. You're the most beautifullest woman in the world." My little sassy Sissy has her moments, but that vote of confidence made my week. 

In honor of princesses everywhere, I'm re-posting some notes about princesses that I wrote a while ago. Enjoy!

(Re-posted from Jan 13, 2014)

I love good princess stories. But without Darkness trying to ruin the good, it's a boring story. Cinderella's humility and forgiveness shine through her evil step-mother's schemes to ruin her happiness. Belle's sacrifice and love for her father was demonstrated when her only option to save his life was to offer her own. (And there was no magical spell that was broken when she made that sacrifice. It only began a longer journey of difficulties for her as she was imprisoned, lonely, and terrified. If you read the original version, she prayed and begged God to give her strength to endure the horrible death that she was sure awaited her.)

I have some amazing friends and mentors, and as I was thinking through the common denominator between all of them, what is most noticeable is that they have all been through some really dark, difficult times. They've been broken, crushed, and despairing, but because of this pressure, they've grown into something beautiful. Times of pressure are never fun, but those moments are the most important times in our development. Without difficulty, we don't grow. 

I've been trying to think of lots of good stories about "champions" to tell my kids this year. There are some insane, courageous, inspiring people who make gloriously "good" choices and are memorialized by those big moments in time. But if you look at their life as a whole, it was full of failures and hardships and learning. How they dealt with the darkest moments were just as weighty as how bright their shining triumphs were. 

This gives me hope. Sometimes when things are dark, I despair. But the darkest moments are where the adventure is about to get real. Those are my moments to choose truth and love. 

This morning I asked my daughter, "Who are some of the Most Amazing princesses?" Her answer was not what I expected. Instead of her favorites (Rapunzel and Ariel), she didn't miss a beat before grinning and declaring, "You. And me. And all of the other girls who love Jesus." (Out of the mouths of babes...)

So today, I'm hugging my little princess and thanking God for His strength in the hard times. 

Here's a snippet of my little daily devotional book:

"You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey. You'd feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead. However, there is a better way to be prepared for WHATEVER you will encounter today: Spend quality time with Me. 

I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey. 

A life lived close to Me will never be dull or predictable. Resist your tendancy to search for the easiest route through each day. Be willing to follow wherever I lead. No matter how steep or treacherous the path before you, the safest place to be is by My side."