Ok, I admit it: I suffer from that same "hopeless-romantic-syndrome" that perhaps some of you reading this do. I swoon over over the end of North and South (have you SEEN the way he looks at her?), which I have been recently introduced to. Or the movie Penelope (which I thought I would dislike but actually thoroughly enjoyed). Or I read books that I just can't put down. Yes, I am a fan of espionage and suspense, but if there is a love story, let's be honest, that's the predominant force gluing me to the page.
All these stories...all this superficial, lovey dovey, whirlwind of affection...generally without serious backbone to it.
Many of us Christian ladies are quick to say they want a young man with the 2 J's (Jesus and a job), but truthfully, while Christ is the main thing and I won't compromise on this, I do have my preferences. Or a young man may say they want someone "hot like Megan Fox" (and I don't mean to group and summarize all men in such a superficial way, I'm just giving an example). Do I think that whoever my guy is and I will be attracted to one another? Yes, but what society pushes as the foundation of attraction is what concerns me.
I think the danger with the way our thoughts are oriented, is that we don't commit because we are searching for the ideal (albeit unattainable). Or we run the opposite risk of clinging to someone and idolizing them in hopes they'll complete us and meet all our needs. Perhaps instead of sending Prince Charming to his grave, we need to refocus our priorities and notions of what love is supposed to look like.
I recently read a book in 24 hours. I was more than an enthusiastic reader - I was positively giddy. But that's precisely why I'm not in a hurry to read the rest of the series. Even Christian books often talk of how beautiful she is, how handsome he is, and though not explicit, the underlying tension is definitely unmistakable. And it's way too easy to get caught up in it and think "Just kiss her already!" when I'm gently urged to "not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." (Song of Sol 8:4) I feel like there is an absence of due honour and respect when I get so wrapped up in such things. And what point is there yearning for a stunnigly and impossbily flawless Prince Charming of my own when nobody on earth could possibly live up to such a standard? (Besides, storybook Prince Charmings are interchangeable and one dimensional. In Shrek, he was arrogant because he thought he had it all together. In Into the Woods, the prince charmed more than one woman)
Do I still like my fairy tales? Sure. Do I want the romantic gestures? You betcha.. Do I want a beautiful relationship some day? Yes.. Can a guy save me and give me ultimate fulfillment? No - but Jesus can! If someone laying down their life for a screw up like me, and consistently showering me with love and grace isn't romantic, then I don't know what is. That is immensely better than any Disney movie.
[For additional reading, check out this article: http://www.boundlessline.org/2011/02/killing-prince-charming.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boundlessline%2Fblog+%28Blog%3A+Boundless+Line%29 ]
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