The kind of princess we’ve encouraged our daughters to become is the wrong sort-of princess–one who acts more like a toddler-in-a-tiara than a confident queen-in-waiting.
The princess we’ve asked them to embrace revels in her ownreflection and thinks of herself before anyone else. She’s entitled, spoiled, and self-centered.
This is where we miss it. Narcissism is not what being a princess is about. At all.
The actual title of princess is bequeathed upon a young woman for one of two reasons. She is daughter of the King (or one who is in line for the throne) or she has married a prince. In either case, a princess isn’t royal because of her beauty, talents, or achievements.
A princess is only a princess because of her relationship with the sovereign.
Just like the three-year-old, Princess Charlotte. She’s got ten sweet little fingers and ten sweet little toes just like my friend Erin’s new baby, Kelsey. But, what distinguishes Kelsey from Princess Charlotte? It’s her proximity to the king.
And, that’s what being a princess is all about. The princess’ job, as a royal, is to serve at the mercy of the sovereign. Her life is devoted to service, not self-indulgence.
Princess Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, participates in diplomatic events on behalf of the monarchy. She serves as they ask and instruct her to serve. Although she is gorgeous, stylish, looks amazing right after childbirth, and is by all accounts a wonderful lady, she’s not a royal because of her grace, beauty, or fashion sense. It’s her relationship to the throne that awards her that title.
While our modern twist on princess is inward in focus, build the girls’ self-esteem by telling her how intrinsically wonderful she is. God’s idea for the princess is quite different. The princess concept, the way the Bible intends it, is one of a daughter of the King finding her esteem in Him, not in herself. One who is fully dedicated in her service to Him and, as Proverbs 25:6 says, does “not exalt (herself) in the presence of the King.”
This amazing truth has great potential to start a princess movement that could actually be effective.
If we taught our little girls to turn their eyes up to the King to find their value, how much more confident would they be as they grow?
If we encourage our daughters to pay less attention to cultivating their inner princess (or trying to be just like their favorite Disney version) and, instead, to dedicate every aspect of their lives to the serving Jesus, would we still have a generation of girls fretting over getting the perfect selfie?
We don’t need more of our culture’s version of the princess. If we want to grow real royals, girls who are confident and secure through adulthood, we need to lead them to the true King.
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This article originally appeared at ComparedtoWho.me.
