The Princess Bride

Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of God, there was a beautiful princess who lived in a castle with her father, mother, and two younger sisters. She was beautiful of heart as well as radiant of countenance. All who knew her considered her to be full of life, full of joy, and full of love for the King.

The princess was not one who sat around waiting for servants to tend to her needs. Rather, she and her sisters were trained in all manner of skills which they used to serve others, starting within the walls of their own castle. This particular princess of whom I am speaking today became very talented in cooking, sewing, interior decorating, singing, and the playing of musical instruments.

Because she had a heart for seeing other young women come to know and love the King, the princess also devoted much time to speaking engagements and teaching opportunities outside her beloved castle walls. She shared messages on purity, modesty, and service to family with a zeal that proved contagious! Many, many maidens in her province were encouraged not only by the words she spoke, but by the example she set forth in her own life.

While the princess stayed very busy in service to her King and family, she continued to cherish a dream in her heart that one day, a prince of like faith and devotion would be her husband. She valued the honored position of being a wife and a mother and greatly looked forward to the day that the King might allow her such a noble privilege.

Time passed. The princess prayed. Every night, she faithfully penned prayers for her future prince in a little book.

And then one day, a prince did come into her life with great interest in securing her hand in marriage! He made frequent visits to her castle, first to converse with her father over the matter, and then with the intention of wooing her heart. The princess was so excited! Could he be the one she had been waiting and praying for?

Alas! It was not to be. Within a few months, it became obvious that she and the prince were not well suited for each other. Their hearts were too different, their values too divided to make for a harmonious and heavenly marriage. With disappointment, yet peace in her heart, the princess bid farewell to the young man and he departed from her life. She returned to her former duties of Kingdom service and soon, her joy returned in full as well.

Several more years passed; years that the princess found abundant with the King's blessings and brimming over with enriching experiences.

And then one day, as she was far away in another province visiting her eldest sister, the princess caught the eye of a fair-headed prince. He observed her from a distance and found her beauty of character quite appealing, but she knew nothing of his interest. A few more months; a few more discreet opportunities to spend time in her presence observing, learning, and praying. Meanwhile, the princess was making her own discoveries about this particular fellow, and found him a most delightful companion. His Godliness attracted her and his ambitions in life seemed to match her own so closely.

After nearly a year of guarded interaction and careful contemplation, the prince arrived at the conclusion that he would like very much to win the heart and hand of the fair, young princess. Of course, he had no idea how she felt about him, as she had always treated him with the most decorous behavior. Now, the time had come to find out.

Quietly and without fanfare, the prince dispatched a private message to the princess' father requesting permission to court his daughter. This particular father took his job as protector of his daughters quite seriously, so before the prince had the opportunity to communicate directly with the princess, he was first required to prove his nobility. Lest you think he was required to slay a dragon, let me assure he was not. Rather, he was asked a series of deep, soul-searching questions which he dutifully answered by his own hand. The father was pleased with the young man's expressions of faith, integrity, and vision for life, thus granting the fair-headed prince the opportunity to win his daughter's heart.

With great joy, the princess agreed to the prince's proposal of courtship. They immediately took the matter to the King and received His blessing upon their relationship as well as His promise to provide them wisdom along the journey. Thus began a very happy time for the princess and her suitor. Despite the long distance between their two provinces, they communicated as often as possible across the miles. Sometimes, the prince made the journey southward to her family's castle for a much-cherished visit, while at other times she traveled northward to his.

It soon became obvious to both the prince and the princess as well as their respective families that they were ideally suited to each other in every way. Their hearts were united in love for the King, in service to His kingdom, and in affection toward each other. Their interests were so similar, their values identical, their hopes and dreams parallel with one another.

When the prince asked the princess for her hand in marriage, she granted his request with joy and gladness.

Their wedding day dawned bright and beautiful. The princess looked stunning in her full-skirted dress of candle-light white with golden curls hanging down her back under a sparkling tiara. Understandably, her prince could hardly take his eyes off her as she swept down the aisle on her father's arm. Her eyes sparkled with happy tears, and a radiant smile especially for him lit her face. The King presided over the ceremony in a majestic and awe-inspiring way as only a king can do while heavenly music filled the sanctuary. It was a ceremony to be remembered, full of the beauty of holiness as the prince and princess pledged their lives to one another in holy matrimony.

They lived joyfully ever after.

Yes, fairy tales do come true; but only the kind written by the King Himself. :-)