Ahh, it’s that time of year again!
You know, the time when parents are buying boxes of cards with the starry-eyed cartoons on them and the candy hearts with sayings like, “You drive me crazy” and “I love you.” The time when all the school bulletin boards were decorated in pink, red and white. The time when every store you go to suddenly becomes covered with red hearts and fake roses.
Just makes you just feel like wiping your hands and cleaning your teeth! Everything is so syrupy sweet! The time when grown-ups are driving themselves crazy looking for someone to love. The man of the house dare not come home without something for his spouse and “wifey” betta be willin…
Valentine’s Day!
You’re probably expecting this blog to be really light and fluffy, especially due to the title; full of “happily ever afters” and what not.
Maybe it is.
I chose this title because the Lord kept putting it in my spirit. Since I can’t argue with God (a losing battle every time), I read the actual story of “The Princess and the Pea.” God used it to speak to me. I pray it speaks to you.
The story begins with this prince in search of his true princess. This prince really wanted his princess; he was tired of playing games and really wanted to settle down. However, 
the prince was having some difficulties. For some strange reason, he just couldn’t find her. I mean he was searching hard: on the job, in his place of worship, on Myspace, BlackPlanet, and Facebook; in the club, in the street, but to no avail. For some reason, there was something wrong with every woman he met. Her feet weren’t pretty enough; she was a little thick in all the wrong places; she wasn’t thick enough; she didn’t meet the world’s standard of beauty, nor did she uphold the requirements of his “list” So day after day the prince returned to his home lonely and defeated.
Man of God, true prince-are you missing out on your true princess due to your requirements list? Are you tired of looking at work, in your place of worship, on Myspace, BlackPlanet, and Facebook; in the club, in the street, but to no avail? Are you tired of returning to your home lonely and defeated?
Then one evening a terrible storm came and it rained and poured! Someone came to the palace door in the middle of the night. It was a princess who stood outside, but she looked a mess due to the rain and the storm. Her hair was freshly done, but you know, there is only so much water her long silky weave could handle!
Her outfit was ruined, and her shoes…
let’s not go there.
But the way she carried herself made a statement about who she really was. When the king answered the door and asked who she was, she never failed to answer, “I’m a princess.”
There may be some “princesses” out there right now who are in or coming out of a storm. At this point in life, you feel inadequate or unequipped to handle a relationship, let alone everything that marriage entails. Be encouraged. God has a reason for everything and he never makes mistakes.
The queen felt as though she needed to “protect” her son by putting this self-proclaimed princess to the test.
I’m not even going to touch that part. We all know it could get ugly, lol.
Anyway, the queen snuck into the guest bedroom of the palace and took all the sheets and covers off the bed. She then put a pea in their place, followed by twenty mattresses and twenty featherbeds.
In the morning, after everyone had awakened, the queen asked their guest how she slept the previous evening. The princess replied, “I haven’t slept all night. Only Heaven knows what was under my bed! My whole body is black and blue from whatever that hard thing was in my bed.”
Man of God-true prince- has your princess been sent to you before, during, or after your storm? No matter how you treat her, you will definitely need her. Do you even know the reason why God has sent her to you? Adam worked in the Garden for some time before God created Eve.
Just for him.
This means that once Adam began walking in the calling and purposes God had for his life: i.e. tending the fields and naming the animals, God sent his helpmate. God saw that Adam was getting lonely and knew that “it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.“-Genesis 2:18. And get this, Adam knew the instant he laid his eyes on Eve she was his “other half”; his “help”. Adam didn’t look at Eve, then look at God, then look at Eve and keep looking! Adam cried,” At last! She is part of my own flesh and bone. She will be called woman because she was taken out of a man“-Genesis 2:23.
Are you allowing other members of your kingdom to put her to the test? For no reason? Are you allowing the opinions of others-whether stated or presumptive-to determine whether or not you continue to run from your true princess? Are you shying away from the responsibility of having this princess brings? Trust me, if she was sent from God she will definitely pass with flying colors; all the more confirmation of the true gift from God she is.
Woman of God-true princess- has God spoken to you about who your true prince is? Now I’m not talking about some man that you’ve chosen to name and claim because you think he’s cute. I’m talking about a matter that has been taken before God, and after much praying, fasting, courtship, confirmation through the Word, or just seeing the hand of God move, you for real know without a shadow of a doubt who you were created to help? Are you becoming frustrated because it seems like the prince doesn’t get it? Or are you tired of fighting with God because it seems like he’s only dealing with you and not the prince? Stay encouraged. If God has told you to check and double check- that this man is for you, nothing will change God’s plan for your life or his. Continue to allow God to work on you in preparation for the ministry of marriage. There is so much more to it than a pretty dress and honeymoon night. If God puts it together, no man can put it asunder.
So if God hasn’t put the two of you together just yet-trust his timing. “I want you to promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right”-Song of Solomon 8:4. Nine times out of ten, God has spoken to the prince before he spoke to you and is dealing with him as well. Jesus is the best matchmaker! Enjoy your time with the Lover of your soul. Knowing who you are in him and what true love feels like all the more prepares you to minister to your husband. Don’t waste time trying to get comfortable with other men in your sleeping quarters…
I mean the pea under your mattress.
Although it may be frustrating now when he marks out the path for this match made in heaven to come to pass, your love will be “as strong as death, and its jealousy will be as enduring as the grave. Your love will flash like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters will not be able to quench your love, neither can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy this love with everything he owned his offer would be utterly despised.”-Song of Solomon 8:6-7.
Then once the prince recognized his true princess he made her his wife.
And the pea?
The royal cook purchased several others and made split pea soup! It was quite delightful and was served to the guests at the royal wedding.
And they lived happily ever after.
There.
I said it.
Different by Design 
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