How to Live as a Princess

Don't Labor in Vain Windswept Silence | a poem

How to Live as a Princess

I grew up imagining that I was a princess.
I wasn't the kind of princess you would find at Disney. In fact, I never cared for Disney at all. Those princesses were fine in their own way, but I didn't want their silky dresses and perfect hair.
No, I wanted to be a beautiful princess because I knew God was my Daddy in heaven. And if my Father is a King, doesn't that make me royalty?
So I grew up reading all the books about God's little princesses. I painted my toes, slipped in earrings, and tried to discover what a real princess should be like. One day I would get to Heaven and finally be with my King, and I dreamed about the beautiful moment.
Some things have changed since then. My princess books collect dust on a shelf, and I don't often sweep down the stairs in a royal gown. But I still indulge in fanciful thoughts at random when I think of my tiara, shut in the darkness of a desk drawer.
And yet I wonder if a princess is who I was made to be.

When we become Christians, we take on Christ's identity and become His daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18). We are loved, treasured, and forgiven. Christ calls us friends (John 15:15), and we are joint heirs under His name (Galatians 3:29). Those who are saved are adopted into a united family, serving our King and seeking to bring His name glory.
I don't see any fallacy in calling ourselves princesses as long as we understand what that term really means.
A princess knows she is the daughter of a great and glorious King, but she doesn't use that position wrongfully. True royalty serves, lives in humility, and seeks two wondrous callings:
First, to honor the King.
And second, to love others.
Which can be summarized by Jesus' commandments,

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

- Matthew 22:37-39

Dear friend, let's examine some areas of life and see if we're living like His princesses.

Our Outer Garments

Typically, you can identify royalty because of their dress. A diamond crown graces their head, a cape sweeps against marble tile, or their clothes are made of the richest silk. But in reality, that's not how we live (although wouldn't it be fun?).
We represent the King, and that should be evident by our clothes. When we dress in clothes that are just a bit too tight or shirts that come a tad too low, what pictures are we sending to the world? We dress modestly not only to keep others from stumbling but also to honor the One who gave everything for us.
Maybe you wear only dresses and skirts. Your head could be covered or uncovered (tiara or otherwise). Braids, jewelry, or other adornments might be embraced or thrust aside. But either way, dress in the way that the Lord has convicted you to be right for yourself.

In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation...

- 1 Timothy 2:9

(If you're interested, click on the link and read the rest of the verse. I'm curious what other believers think of the next topic addressed in that passage.)
But being a princess is about so much more than garments.

Our Words

All throughout the Bible, there are commandments advising us how to speak. Perhaps that's because our words represent who we are. They show the hidden person inside us and where our heart is. If we speak constantly in negative or complaining voices, our hearts are probably not aligned with His (ouch).
I could write so much about the power of words, but to keep this from stretching on, you can read more in this blog post or this article.
Our words are meant to build others up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and if we truly love others, that's what we will do. We'll bring comfort, guidance, love, honesty. We'll help others rejoice and support them when they have fallen.
Also, as representatives of Christ, our words will be pure. We won't swear (Matthew 5:34) or take the Lord's Name in vain (Exodus 20:7). However, I wonder if it goes deeper.
I choose not to use crude language because I don't see it as fitting for daughters of a King. Words like "gosh" can stand for other words that are not honoring to God, in my opinion (this article has some interesting thoughts in that area). Although this is a matter of conviction for me personally, I challenge you to examine your words.
Are they honoring? Are they loving? Are they uplifting?
Should you be speaking them?

Our Posessions

When I imagine a princess, the first image I see is a beautiful individual kneeling before the poor and offering a hand of help. Not the clothes nor the jewels but something much deeper.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

- 1 Peter 3:3-4

A princess is someone who gives her possessions willingly. She shares, knowing that a life is more important than an object.
But it's not just a tithe. She shares everything she has because of love. How could she know of someone in need and not help? That what love does - it gives radically.
Dear Friend, maybe you're a princess or maybe you're not. Perhaps that term makes you uncomfortable, and you'd rather be known as a simple child of God. But either way, let us live in such a way as to bring the King glory.
Let's dress, speak, and give to honor Him.
I always imagined myself as a princess, but now I am older. I see how life isn't always rainbows and butterflies - storms come in, flowers fall, and tears burn. But sometimes, when the stars are brightest in a midnight sky, it's easy to go back and remember.
You are loved as His child if you have committed yourself to Him. Let's live like it.