While the specifics may vary, the core of this fairy tale remains constant. In a vulnerable moment many of us would admit that it has captivated our imaginations from earliest memory.
Once upon a time…there lived a lovely and graceful young princess of exquisite beauty and virtue. Her golden hair tumbled in curls to her waist and her arresting eyes the color of a summer sky are renowned throughout the land.

This maiden is captured by the evil adversary of the kingdom and held prisoner in his fortress where any chance of rescue or help seems futile. As the days and weeks pass, she fights despair. Does no one know of her plight? Will no one try to help her? She tries to remain strong but her heart aches with her attempts to find a reason to hope. If only one person found her worthy of sacrifice. If only there were a man who could set her free and save her from this harrowing darkness! What if she came to harm at the hands of the enemy? Would she be alone for the rest of her life?

But hope is not lost so long as one brave warrior remains in the land. A chivalrous young man loves the princess with all his heart and willingly risks his life for her freedom. Despite pain, setbacks and hardship, the knight fights through the difficulties and demonstrates superior courage against evil. At last he wins the battle and rescues his princess.

As he throws open the door to her tower prison, she cries for joy and runs into his waiting arms. With infinite tenderness he claims a hard-won kiss. Then, leading her into the courtyard he lifts her onto his horse and they gallop into the sunset. Their homecoming is heralded with great rejoicing. After a whirlwind of preparation the knight and his princess are married. And they live happily ever after.

Happily ever after. Perhaps we feel childish or silly if we admit that we long for such a romantic adventure. Is it intrinsically wrong that stories trigger a soul hunger for an intangible more? Must such dramas be allocated to girlish daydreams and Hollywood movies? Surely not!

In Wild at Heart John Eldredges agrees:

From ancient fables to the latest blockbuster, the theme of a strong man coming to rescue a beautiful woman is universal to human nature. It is written in our hearts, one of the core desires of every man and every woman….no, we have not been poisoned by fairy tales and they are not merely “myths.” Far from it. The truth is, we have not taken them seriously enough (181-182).

Though I take issue with Eldredge’s theology, his point is valid. Rough stretches on my journey taught me that part of my persistent soul sighs stems from a fearful, stubborn refusal to acknowledge the validity and God-given worth in my fascination with fairy tales.

The fairy tale is not the conclusion, but the doorway to a more brilliant reality. Pushed onto a pedestal as the final answer their worth is misshapen and distorted. The world’s story may end with a couple living happily ever after but our life in Christ enables the intimacy of the human relationship to illuminate an eternal perfection. In a balanced perspective, neither denigrated nor exalted from their intended place, fairy tales are a lovely and exhilarating part of life.

Something marvelous occurred when I finally stopped shying away from fairy tales, chivalry and romance as unrealistic and childish. When I set aside my inhibitions and wholeheartedly entered into the stories I discovered their unique ability to bless and delight my heart. Through delicate brushes with eternity the fairy tales ushered me into a world full of wonder.

Psalm 20 exclaims, “May He grant you your heart’s desire!” In the next chapter it says, “Thou hast given him his heart’s desire and Thou hast not withheld the request of his lips.” God has put these yearnings in us not to frustrate us, but for His sovereign purpose—a purpose that goes beyond what we can comprehend in our limited vision. God did not plant this need inside to be satisfied with anything less than Himself and His best: the ultimate “happily ever after” around the throne of our great God and King.
Posted by Natalie Nyquist 6 comments Labels: beauty, heartthoughts, natalie, romance