Is Marriage a Fairy Tale?

Do you ever look at your spouse and think, “Aren’t I supposed to end up with a Prince Charming? Isn’t that what fairy tales are all about?”

We played dress-up and imagined what it would be like to live in a castle. Whatever happened to hopes and dreams? Did we really think we’d end up living in a make-believe world? Were our expectations unrealistic when we said, “I do”?

Short of being swept away by a gallant knight in shining armor – I’d say many of us would settle for the frog, as long as we had a chance of having it turn into a royal prince, right?

The world collectively held its breath as we watched the pageantry of the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. We anxiously waited for the magic kiss as they stepped onto the palace balcony before thousands of loyal subjects, eager to share in their marital bliss.

Let’s get real here… most of us will never marry a prince, much less see one. But there is a subtle parallel between a famous fairy tale and the fact that we are royalty – daughters of the King of Kings.

In the story The Frog Prince, by the Brothers Grimm, we have a recital of love in an unlikely pairing. The tale began when the young princess took a walk by herself in the woods and rested by a cool spring of water. She had a particular golden ball which she favored as a play toy, and as she was tossing it into the air and catching it, the ball rolled into the water. Crying, she lamented that she would give everything up – her fine clothes, jewels, and all her riches in order to have it back again.

While she was speaking, a frog’s head emerged out of the water and inquired as to the reason for her weeping. She was startled by his presence and with disdain she said, “Alas! What can you do for me, you nasty frog? My golden ball has fallen into the spring.”

The frog merely stated that he was not interested in her riches, but if she would love him, and allow him to reside with her, eat with her and sleep in her bed chambers, he would retrieve her prized toy. She agreed and the frog dove into the water and came up with the ball in his mouth, placing it onto the edge of the spring.

As it happened, when the princess saw her golden ball, she ran to pick it up, forgetting all about the frog and his honorable deed. The next day, as she sat down to dinner, she heard a strange noise – as if something was gently knocking at the door. It was a frog! He said:

“Open the door, my princess dear; open the door to thy true love here!
And mind the words that thou and I said,
by the fountain cool, in the greenwood shade.”

The King, her father, seeing that something was wrong, asked her what it was. “There is a nasty frog at the door,” she said, “that lifted my ball for me out of the spring yesterday morning.” “I told him he should live with me here, thinking that he could never get out of the spring; but here he is – waiting at the door.”

The king said to the young princess, “As you have given your word – so you must keep it; so go and let him in.” She obliged her father the king and opened the door. The frog hopped into the room, then up to the table where he insisted on sitting next to her to share in her meal. Afterward, he asked to be carried upstairs to be put into her bed. At daylight, the frog disappeared. Thinking that he was gone for good, she resumed her day.

But she was sadly mistaken; for when night came again, she heard the same strange noise as the day before. Tap, tap on the door and the same plea as before. Again she let the frog accompany her to the dinner table and upstairs to bed. And as before, at day break, the frog disappeared once more. The third night repeated the whole scenario – right down to the frog laying its head on her pillow.

When the princess awoke on the following morning she was astonished to see, instead of the frog, a handsome prince, gazing on her with the most beautiful eyes she had ever beheld, as he stood at the head of her bed. He told her that he had been enchanted by a spiteful fairy, which had changed him into a frog. His fate had been to remain a frog until such time as a princess should take him out of the spring, and let him eat from her plate, and sleep upon her bed for three nights.

“You,” said the prince, “have broken this cruel charm, and now I have nothing to wish for but that you should go with me into my father’s kingdom, where I will marry you, and love you as long as you live.”

The young princess was not long in saying ‘Yes’ to all this; and as they spoke, a stunning coach drove up, with eight beautiful horses, decked with a golden harness and plumes of feathers. The king gave his blessing and they departed for the prince’s kingdom, where they lived happily ever after.

So – did I miss something here? What about the princess placing a well-planted kiss on the frog’s lips? Maybe that was another fable – but nonetheless – there is a moral to this story: Next time there’s a frog at your doorway – you might want to let him in! No, seriously; let’s look at this story from another perspective: Who is your prince charming? Should we really put that weight on the shoulders of our husband, or someone else who can handle the weight of the whole world?

There is a Prince [Charming], who not only laid His life down for you but who also wants to spend eternity with you in His Father’s Kingdom. It isn’t any ordinary kingdom – but a place where the streets are pure gold and precious gems line the walls of the Celestial metropolis. There are mansions dotting the landscape and a crystal clear river running through it. Jesus Christ Himself prepared this place for us and He will usher in His Bride to their everlasting abode.

Our Prince knocks at the door of our hearts – waiting for the invitation to dine with us and abide with us. He desires fellowship with us; that we might enjoy the closeness He has with His Father. We are unaware of His beauty until we behold His Face and gaze into His loving eyes.

Make haste and kiss the Son. He is your Prince of Peace and King of eternity. He who cherishes His betrothed will come for her soon. Say “Yes” to His proposal and receive the blessing of His Father.

You too can live happily ever after with King Jesus.

(Ref: John 14:1-3; Revelation 3:20; Revelation 21-22)

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.

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