True Princess: Sleeping Beauty or Snow White?

In my previous post Prince Charming: Real or Pretender, we discussed what a princess looks for in a prince. We made the point that sometimes it's hard to tell the real thing from a royal pretender. Well, today we are going to turn the tables. We're going to take a good look at ourselves and determine if we are a Sleeping Beauty or Snow White.

You all remember the stories, right? In Sleeping Beauty the princess is fated to prick her finger on a spindle and die on her eighteenth birthday. But one of her fairy godmothers changes the curse so that she actually falls asleep for a hundred years before her prince comes to wake her up. The second story, Snow White, is about a beautiful girl who incurs the wrath of her stepmother and has to flee for her life. She runs as far as she can until she discovers a little hut where seven dwarfs live and she offers to clean and cook for them. After spending many days there, she is tricked and killed by her stepmother. However, a prince comes along and brings her back with true love's kiss.

Both stories have certain similarities: a princess, prince, little people (fairies and dwarfs), and happily ever after. But there is one major difference. Can you see it? Let me see if I can identify it for you. What is Snow White doing for much of the story? Taking care of the dwarfs. What is Sleeping Beauty doing? Well, we don't know. But it's obviously nothing noteworthy!

Throughout history which has had more movies made and books written about them? Which is more beloved? I'll give you a hint: if you chose the somniac, you're wrong!

What is your life like right here, right now? Are you actively doing something important with your time- something to better the lives of others? Are you working toward a goal? Are you learning new skills or working to improve your mind? Or are you just waiting for something- anything- to happen?

If you read your Bible (which I assume you do), you have probably noticed that the Bible is a book of action. God is always telling people to do something or telling someone to tell them to do something. Even the New Testament is full of the Apostles telling people what they need to do. There are very few places where people are specifically told to "wait". And even in those times, it is a productive waiting- not a listless, pointless wait. And since the Bible was written for God's people (that includes those of us who are believers in Christ as stated in John 1:12-13), we are called to be people of action. And, specifically, here is one of the things we are called to do:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12:2

Wow. That's a carriage load right there! We are called to leave all those earthly things that we obsess with behind: the make-up, the fashionable clothes, gossip columns, flirting, etc. and to instead work on renewing our minds. And how do we do that? By thinking like God. Well, how do we do that? By reading what He tells us to do- the Bible! Now, are fashionable clothes and make-up bad in and of themselves? No, not really. But we as women can go above and beyond the mere "enjoyment" of these things and become obsessed. Can't we, ladies?

What is the end result of thinking like God? Being able to "discern what is the will of God". How often have you wondered, "Could this be my Prince? Maybe it's that other guy. Or am I supposed to get married at all?" When our minds are transformed, we can know the answers to these questions! But it requires work.

Work? Yuck! Not fun. Well, what's the point of finding your prince? To make a home with him. Let's take a look at what the Bible says about the perfect wife:

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
(Proverbs 31:10-31)

Do you think that when you get married, the next morning- PRESTO! Instant perfect wife? No! That would be ridiculous! So I guess my question is: what are you doing right now to become the perfect queen for your future king? Are you working or are you sleeping? And which one do you think your prince will be more attracted to?

Are you Sleeping Beauty or Snow White?