Thirteen little princesses with thirteen dresses flying, tiaras strewn through the living room, giggling as only little girls can graced my house on Friday in celebration of Hannah’s third birthday. Perhaps I was a little ambitious having thirteen three- and four-year-olds in my home at one time. Perhaps I was even more ambitious to think that I could actually have a tea party with them there! But I think the party was a success, and thirteen little princesses were fed and in need of naps by the time the party was over.
As I was preparing for the birthday party, I was really struck by the theme of being a princess. So I became even more ambitious and attempted to sit the girls down for a three-minute lesson on how to become a princess that is worthy of a heavenly crown. I ended up rushing through the lesson because there were too many distractions, but I hope that at least one thing I said sank in to their tender hearts.
The funny thing is that some of what I studied to teach to them really sank into my heart. As a Christian, I am royalty. I am a princess because my Father is the King of all kings! So I was challenged to think about the things that would be characteristic of a godly princess. Immediately, the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) came to mind – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. The one that really stood out to me and challenged me this week was peace. I referenced the verse from the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Well, as a Christian, I AM a child of God! But I was convicted by this verse because it made me wonder if anyone is noticing that I am a child of God because I am definitely NOT considered a peacemaker! Is anyone CALLING me a child of God?
I know that in this world, we just cannot possibly avoid conflict. We can’t stand idly by when children are abused or innocent lives taken. We can’t close our ears to politicians who lead our country. We can’t hide in our homes and ignore the fact that there are wars raging around the world. Sin is in this world, and so conflict has to exist because we have to fight against that sin! But as children of God, we should be striving to make peace. We should be caring for those who are hurt. We should be loving our enemies. We should be helping one another.
As I cleaned up the mess made by thirteen happy but exhausted princesses on Friday, I prayed over each of their hearts. They are our future. They are the ones who will be ruling this world. They may be small, but they are an essential part of God’s kingdom.
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