Happily Ever After...A Romance Greater than All Others

"Real life is not a fairy tale." Did anyone else constantly hear this growing up and feel...I don't know...kind of depressed? What little girl wants to hear that there are no happily ever afters, no adventures, or danger, or no handsome brave prince who will save you from  "evil dragons and witches"? No happy endings? Dreams don't come true? That rather puts a damper on the whole idea of life, doesn't it?
  Anyone who knows me well might be rolling their eyes at me at this point just by knowing that I am a sucker for Disney movies. I believe when people say that life isn't a fairy tale they are mainly referring to the animated films where the prince and princess fall in love at first sight and break into song right away. And as awesome as I think it would be to be able to suddenly break into song with music magically playing in the background, I have to agree that real life isn't exactly like a Disney movie.
  BUT, I do believe in a way that life can be very much like a fairy tale. I do believe in a happy ending and it has nothing to do with wishing upon a star. It has everything to do with a loving Prince. Every girl I've ever known including myself has grown up with a dream of meeting a handsome young man who will love her no matter what. Someone who will bring her flowers and chocolate, call her beautiful, protect her, and honor her.
  When I was younger, I was constantly taught how strong God's love is. But I had a hard time understanding Christ being referred to as the Bridegroom of the Church. Only later, when I started to grow deeper in my relationship with Him, did I start seeing Jesus as not just my Savior but my Prince who loved me so much He laid down His life. Not for anything special I did. In fact, He died for all the awful sins and things I would ever do. He loves me simply because He chooses to. Because of Him, the enemy has already lost!
  During Easter service last week I remember tearing up while reflecting on how forgiving, how brave, and how strong and loving my Prince is.
  God, who is the true author of romance, loves deeper than anyone can possibly fathom. Whether you have someone special in your life or not, a relationship with Him is a romance greater than all others. He paints beautiful sunsets for us, sends us reassuring signs of His presence through soothing breezes in the air. He always protects and watches over us. Always forgives. Always keeps His promises. And He never ever leaves.
  He places desires and dreams in our hearts when we seek Him, and guides us through the adventurous journey of life. Through prayer and His Word, He gives us what we need to battle of the enemy. And in the end, when the trumpets sound, and He calls His bride home, never again will we suffer pain or heartache. For then on, all we will know is bliss and happiness in the presence of our King. I don't think you can get anymore 'happily ever after' than that!
  As a writer and reader of romance stories, I love this story the best; The love story between Christ and His church. So this is why I believe, though life as trying as it is, is in fact a fairy tale. God doesn't tell us life will be easy. Just as every princess has faced danger or grief so will we as Christians. But with Him on our side, we will win! And when He calls us to be with Him for eternity, then we will live our happily ever after.


Saving us is the greatest and most concrete demonstration of God’s love, the definitive display of His grace throughout time and eternity.  ~ David Jeremiah

A Writer's Prayer

Anne Elisabeth Stengl, author of the 'Goldstone Wood' fantasy series posted this prayer on her Facebook page about a month ago. I found it very encouraging and it reminded me of what really matters. 

As a writer working in the middle of a novel, whether it be their first or seventh, it's easy to lose confidence and focus. But with God, all things are possible and ultimately, bringing Him glory through our words is most important. 

I hope this will be a blessing to you as it has to me!

"A Writer’s Prayer" 

by Margaret Realy

Heavenly Father,

Help me to trust that the words You encourage me to write meet the needs of those You guide to read them.

Let me continue to delight in the beautiful words written by others and not despair in the simplicity of my own. Help me remember always to thank them and encourage them in their work.

Guide my thoughts and my hands to express Your Holy Word in our lives. Allow me to follow Your will, to trust Your ways, to be unconcerned with how I write but that I write in the light of Your Light.

Lord, send me peace of heart so that envy and disparaging does not constrict my work for your glory.

Amen.