My name is Destiny, a twenty-something newlywed who's figuring out and living out life one post at a time over at my blog: Date with Destiny. I'm so honored to be a guest writer for His Ladyship's series, A Return to Fairytales! Get ready to dive in and get some inspiration from Ariel and all her adventures!
~
“Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?
Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl-
The girl who has everything?”
These lyrics almost certainly provoke nostalgic memories of your childhood. That sweet, wild, faraway childhood where adolescent dreams brewed in a bright, innocent heart – much like 16-year-old Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. What is your dream? What defines you to be you? What makes your heart ache, soar, leap, and sink? Or have you given up on dreaming? Given up on a happily ever after? Decided to stop trying, stop daring, stop seeking, stop asking?
“Ready to know what the people know
Ask them my questions and get some answers
What’s a fire and why does it - what’s the word? Burn?
When’s it my turn?
Wouldn’t I love, love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea, wish I could be, part of that world.”
This wide-eyed, fiery-haired mermaid craved adventure. She sought out exploration. She defied the limitations of her surroundings, refusing to be confined to her world beneath the waters. But her whole story starts with a near impossible dream: to become a human. Her whole story starts with the words in that beloved song: “when’s it my turn?” As she sings with her gaze toward the water’s surface, as she stretches out her hand toward the light cutting through the thick abyss of the ocean, her longing and yearning is undeniably transparent. But the point is…it seems so out of reach.
Your song may echo Ariel’s. Maybe you are looking for light to break through your own darkness. Maybe you are desperate to escape the depths of an ocean, willing yourself to breathe again. Maybe you are tired of opening your hands only to continually find them empty. Maybe you neglected dreams that seemed beyond your grasp. Maybe your life is not necessarily damaged, but it’s not all you hoped it would be. Maybe you are all too familiar with that question: “when’s it my turn?”
Let’s go back before Ariel was part of your world, before she was part of anyone’s world.
Most do not know that The Little Mermaid was an idea that took decades to develop. In the 1930s, production was halted in favor of other projects. In the 80s, Disney finally pulled the fairy tale off the shelf, dusted it off, dreamt up their heroine, and created a masterpiece. Before the tale under the sea, it had been 30 years since Disney created a true animated classic, which was coincidentally another fairy tale film: Sleeping Beauty in 1959. You could say that The Little Mermaid was Disney’s own return to fairy tales. Their chance to get things right again.
But. Can you imagine The Little Mermaid without the song, “Part of Your World”? Impossible, right? After all, it’s the driving song, the crux of Ariel’s character. But during production, the ballad was nearly cut by Disney’s CEO who felt that it slowed down the pace of the film. Yes, it’s true. This song that we’ve all hummed as little girls, this song about “who’s-its and what’s-its galore,” this song that gave audiences a glimpse into the huge heart of the spunky sea princess, almost did not exist. How in the world would we understand Ariel without “Part of Your World”? How would we identify with her secret motives without peering into that secret cavern where she revealed her secret dreams and desires
Although there were bumps along the way, The Little Mermaid was finally released in 1989 to a world waiting for inspiration. This story of an adventurous Ariel, who made mere syllables of “ah” sound stunning in a sweet and piercing melody, became a worldwide smash hit – so much so that it is recognized as a turning point in the history of Disney animation, winning two Academy Awards, and marking the start of an era known as the “Disney Renaissance.” No one remembers the precarious beginnings – everyone praises the final product.
In the Bible, there’s a similar story about a young royal who hid in caves, harboring his secret dreams. Like Ariel, he used music as an avenue to express himself, to find solace despite disaster. This young man, named David, was anointed to be King of Israel, but the reigning king refused to relinquish his kingdom. So he hunted David. Chased him. Tried to kill him. The fleeing teenager, who is described to have a heart that looked like God’s heart – who killed a giant with simple stones and a single slingshot, was destined for greatness. But he was forced into exile rather than rule a nation. While in hiding, he composed much of the book of Psalms, which is famously known as a collection of songs he sang to the Lord in his desperate hours of loneliness and emptiness, where doubt crept in and fear crippled him. Instead of losing hope, he wrote again and again about the source of his hope – the Lord. He used his moments, hours, days, months, years of physically running to spiritually run to his heavenly Father. The Psalms are threaded together with the word “wait” which is found over 25 times. David recognized his waiting, but knew his turn was coming. He went on to be the greatest King in the Bible and part of the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior to human race.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14Take a deep breath and look at your life through the lens of these two royal highnesses who reached their highest potential: one a true story from the Bible and one a fairy tale from Disney. When you feel like screaming, “when’s it my turn?” remember that there are brilliant and beautiful things brewing. Allow the Lord to equip you and prepare you to see the masterpiece unfold. Pray for songs of hope; don’t sever your hope. Hold fast to your strengths; don’t fear your weaknesses. Don’t be ashamed of waiting, for these moments define your story. Sing the song that describes your dreams, for that melody is an essential part of your world. Don’t delete or change or tamper with what seems irrelevant, for you never know what will spark a movement, a change… an era. Seek God’s will in all you do and He will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:6). Surrender your own ideals and surround yourself with the identity that He has given you: “you are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” What wonderful work will you allow God to create while you wait? What kind of heroine will you allow God to elevate through the wait?
In The Little Mermaid, Sebastian (that ever-worrying and paranoid Jamaican crab) suspiciously asks, “what is that girl up to?”…I’m asking the same thing of you: “what is that girl up to?” Decide. And Dream. Return to the fairy tale that reigned in your heart, and never let doubt, fear, or insecurity conquer your sureness or steal the throne where your confidence and capabilities should rightfully dwell. Because YOU are God's workmanship: a royal, a princess, HIS LADYSHIP.
That's my girl <3
ReplyDelete