God has a funny way of getting my attention. This week He used dragons. Now before you wonder what’s up with me and fire-breathing creatures, let me first say I thought nothing.
I was wrong.
I often listen to a sermon or teaching on my laptop as I clean from room to room. This way the daily grind isn’t so daily because I’m always learning something new. On this particular day I was listening to an author’s seminar. Next thing I know I hear the presenter talk about the dragons, those things that keep us down and immobile. From dragons she shared about the universe, metaphysics and other freaky things.
I hit pause and said out loud, “No thanks, I’m not wasting time on dragons.”
Then I checked my e-mail and read Red Letters. There it was again, the word dragon. I thought I just said I’m not wasting time on dragons.
In his blog post, Davis referred to dragons as things that “keep us afraid, locked safely inside, and well-armed with weapons against the dangerous world.” He continued, “But what if they weren’t dragons at all? What if we were only tricked into thinking they were dragons and they were really princesses crying out for love?”
Princesses crying out for love? Not dragons?
Could it be my dragons aren’t so big and scary after all? Could it be that I am to step towards those fire-breathing monsters and walk right past them to rescue a damsel in distress?
I think so.
The truth is I’m guilty of letting dragons stop me from participating in God’s greater plan of redemption.
I’m afraid of dragons. Like the double headed fear/failure dragon. Or the you-don’t-qualify-not-enough-talent-or-money dragon. Or the self-centered, self-protective dragon. Let’s not forget shame dragon. Sometimes all I see is dragons. Sometimes I feel like I’m one of them.
Often I’m paralyzed, unsure if I should speak or move.
But in my stillness, I hear a sound.
It’s the cry of a princess.
Terrified but willing, I slowly stand and face the sound. The princess needs help, she needs hope. Maybe by sharing my story she will know she’s not alone. Maybe we can pray together. Maybe I can show her I see her by my smile. Maybe she’s too weak or wounded to speak, but I can be her voice by speaking up about injustice once done to her.
Or maybe she needs a more dramatic rescue: to experience for the first time the love of a Prince.
Who will go for her? You, or me? Will we face our dragons head on in order to (in)courage and love another?
I hope so.
I can’t say stuck and silent anymore. Instead I inch out in faith and extend my hand to a princess. No more being fooled by imaginary dragons. I must intentionally turn my ear towards her cry.
Can you hear her?
One princess matters to the Prince of Peace.
Jesus came to set all of His princesses free. And in His castle, there’s always room for another dirty-kneed damsel. There are no tears there. Only love.
Like I said I’m always learning something new. And some lessons are always worth repeating, like this one: “No thanks, I’m not wasting time on dragons.”
I wish the same for you, Princess.
Q4U: How do you to respond to the cry of a fellow princess? How do you push past your dragons?
Tiffany, Tea with Tiffany
Leave a Comment
Jo Princess Warrior says
Oh I lov e this! Thank you for the reminder to be on the lookout for other princesses who need help slaying their dragons.
(I am going to share this on my Princess Warrior Lessons FB page – other princesses need to read this!)
Karen says
Wow, did I need to hear this…crying as I read it I realize that I, too often, get stuck when I think I’ve come up against the dragons…turn tail and skeedadle the other way quick. How many princesses have been left in my wake 🙁
Thanks for the encouragement and reminder to push past those dragons!
God Bless!
Reese says
I am still a work in progress, but I am striving to not work so hard to fix things. My initial reaction is to fix-it. This response is universal. I pray for stillness in all my reactions & responses. Stillness makes me listen vs. act. Lord, help me to listen to you. and the cry of your “princesses.”
Tiffany, your analogy rocks! Thanks for the reminder.
Gailanne says
Love this, and you!
ps…Dragons beware, Tiffany is on to you!
Peggy says
Blessings Princess Tiffany… from one of the damsels in distress you offer your Light and Sword often… I love this too and you!.. goes so well with my study on “The Invisible War” by Chip Ingram that they’re doing online at Bible Cafe for Women… but I promise NOT to DRAG-ON this time; just want to serve NOTICE that Tiffany and other Princess Warriors will not be held back any longer. We’re MOVING FORWARD! ohh and as per your Q4U…I think you know that for me; on my knees in PRAYER seeking the DEFENDER, MY PRINCE of PEACE and the same for others… the problem is that my emotions hold me back from venturing out in His Kingdom with my Sword in hand, defending other damsels and leading them to Kingdom Truths! Sometimes the DRAG-ONS are way bigger than us, but we have a KING more powerful than them all! (sorry I couldn’t help myself… wrote alot again :0(
Love and prayers my precious Princess,
Peggy
Lisa says
This is GOOD…Thank you!!
Christine says
This is amazing. Love your writing style!
Janis@Open My Ears Lord says
So glad the Lord got your attention to remind us that we slay the dragons by being His princesses. Thank you for pointing us to the right perspective, our Captain–and for reminding us to help other Princess Warriors!
Great post.
Blessings,
Janis
Suzann says
Funny thing…when I saw this yesterday I decided not to read it because dragons – well, they aren’t my “thing”. Today, it popped up again and I read it. I’m glad I read it. Powerful stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Bernadine says
Love this post Tiffany.
Karen@SurvivingMotherhood says
“No thanks. I’m not wasting time on dragons.”
I think that ought to become my new motto. *grin*
Holley Gerth says
“One princess matters to the Prince of Peace.” Wow, those are powerful words, Tiffany. Thanks for this shift in perspective, this pull toward courage and away from fear. So glad your words are with us!
Alisa Hope Wagner says
It seems like Satan can really use our fears to prevent us from doing God’s work. Thank you for motivating me to draw my attention away from my dragons and be a light to a fallen world!
Guest Post at (In)courage: Slaying Dragons and Rescue a Princess — Tea with Tiffany says
[…] Slaying Dragons and Rescue a Princess […]