Cracking and breaking, the concrete wall begins to crack and break down until eventually one day, it all just falls to the ground revealing behind it, the most gorgeous garden of all. The secret garden (not the book) but the garden that we sometimes only dream about and of little knowing, actually hold the key too. Seen as a princess in a fairy tale, the chapter of a book, a beautiful painting, a scene from a movie, or a verse in a song… but not this time. How I see it… a moment in my life that I only thought I would read about, yet one day experienced in the palm of my hand that I now hold onto and cherish forever.

Years later, I entered the gate through Strawberry Groves, literally. Not alone of course, but led by the Lord with the love of my life.

Some say fairy tales are only for books or movies, and full of things that are made up and far away in far off places. Maybe we are mislead into what a fairy tale is. To me, a fairy tale is that of a princess, where there is great love, and happiness. Yes part of the journey will be the testing of times, but that makes us into who we are, it creates strength and courage, and when we open our eyes to the goodness of God and the love he has for us, that’s when all the enchantments of life are found. Found and to be cherished. As a little girl, I would watch the (Disney) princess fall in love with her prince and see them live happily every after. This princess (pretty much always) had to experience quite a lot along the way to gracefully reach this place, but when she did, she would ride into the sunset with her prince charming, as they would join hands, living happily ever after together in faithful and blessed love. When the love of the Lord leads our way, our fairy tale comes true. The way I know the fairy tale to be, is from the Lord saving me in all his loving grace, guiding me and lighting up my path more and more step by step, leading me to the man and the life I had only prayed and dreamed about. Now I am living the life, with the man, I have prayed about, held in the love of the Lord.

Maybe it’s not so much about redefining a princess in a fairy tale, but about becoming aware of who we truly are, made in God’s image and in his love. A princess life is not only a beautiful dress or a title, but it is lived in joy, laughter, beauty, tenderness, blessings, and love. It’s a life of gentle and graceful living, a tender and gracious heart, the adornments that make us feel sparkly, a quiet confidence, a home that is your own special castle built on faith and laughter and made in love… the greatest blessing. Deeply in love.

My life being lived in gentle grace and faithful blessings, holding the key to the gate of Strawberry Groves, with love guiding me and holding me tenderly. Welcome to Strawberry Groves.