Pretty Princess

It was a party fit for a princess. The little girls came dressed in their princess crowns and dress up dresses. There was Anna, Belle and the birthday girl, Rapunzel, of course. This is a girl who prefers comfort over fashion, at least for now. She would much rather wear leggings than a dress to church and for years she protested having her nails painted. But this day was different. This was her birthday party and she wanted it to be special. She wanted to be special.  Now I was helping my niece put on her shiny pink and purple princess gown for her birthday. She wanted to be the bell of the ball and indeed she would be. She didn't want her hair braided. She wanted it down, long, just like Rapunzel's. She would be the embodiment of the princess she adored. 

I brushed her hair and had a twinge of excitement and nervousness at the thought of one day doing my own daughter's hair. "All this princess stuff is new to me," I told her. "I've been throwing dinosaur parties for a long time. Now I'll have to get used to girl things." She smiled and nodded, oh so princess proper, and encouraged me, "Violet won't want dinosaurs. Maybe she will like Rapunzel like me." Maybe. 

One thing is certain. I have no doubt my little girl will don her fair share of princess dresses and tiaras. As a daughter, as a girl, there's a certain femininity created in her being. She will seek to be desired, loved, adored, admired. She will wonder, just like every female, Will she be noticed? Will someone recognize her beauty? 

the king is enthralled with your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord... The bride, a princess, looks glorious in her golden gown. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids. What a joyful and enthusiastic procession as they enter the king’s palace!

Psalm 45:11,13-15

It's right there! In God-breathed scriptures. His word speaks of the adornment, the beauty, the adoration. It's inside each of us to be loved, adored and noticed. Some girls prefer tennis shoes over heels and that's ok, but I haven't met a woman yet who doesn't desire to know her worth. We were created in His image, chosen, royalty. So we put on our princess dresses, don tiaras and pay careful attention to the details - the way we would for our wedding day. Surely that is the day all eyes are on us as the bride - the gown, the crown, the details. Her groom waits for her. He notices her. His eyes are locked in on her beauty. Just like its described in this passage. The God who created us also knows us inside and out. He sees our worth. He knows who we are at our core because He Himself  breathed life into our being. He planned our days and adores each one of us for who we are. On our best days and worst days. When we're dressed up in our finest or lounging in comfort. 

Claim your royal heritage. You have a right to it as His child. Enjoy the privileges of royalty and know that He loves and adores you - even in your comfy pants! 

This is dedicated to my beautiful niece Autumn on her 5th birthday! You are truly a princess!