Once Upon a Princess

Stories are the language of our world...everyone connects with stories. They are the most natural and powerful way we have to communicate. Stories have the power to move and shape us, spark our imaginations and inspire us to hope, stir our hearts toward empathy and compassion, challenge the way we think and live.

Throughout history society has passed down values, traditions, and beliefs through story. As Christians we are part of a story. The story that is embodied in the Bible, the story of creation and the fall, God’s people to be the bearers of his purpose for humankind, and of the coming of the one in whom that purpose is to be fulfilled.

The Hebrew culture looked at the scriptures as stories to live by, carrying the scriptures in their minds and hearts, listening intently to experience the stories, allowing them to teach, shape, and unify their lives. The Bible is not just full of stories but also storytellers: Moses, David, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Stephen, and Paul to name a few. These people inspired and challenged people with true accounts of God’s activity and faithfulness in their lives. I am going to share a story of God’s activity in faithfulness in my life today.

Once upon a Princess!

Long ago, in a wonderful castle on a mountain of splendor, a beautiful princess was born. Her parents were the king and queen of the mountain and the entire green valley below.

The king and queen love the little princess even before she was born. On the day she came into the world, the royal couple gave their daughter a very special gift from God-the gift was called faith (through grace). While the princess was growing up she saw this gift modeled and lived out in the king and queen. The king and queen modeled prayer, grace, love, forgiveness, and what it means to be a follower of Christ. The princess through this modeling started to realize what this gift she received was all about. The king and the queen added to the gift by sending the princess to a Christian school. This Christian school taught her stories from the Bible, how to live as a woman of God, and put this gift into every area of life. This Christian school was full of teachers who modeled their faith and invested in her as a child who bears the image of God. Through the king and queen and Godly Christian teachers the princess was being prepared to be a queen of an even more glorious, blissful, perfect kingdom.

When the princess was finally grown, the princess called the king and the queen to her side. “I have something special to give to you,” said the princess.

Up, up, up the royal family went to a secret room in a tower of the castle. On an elegant table in the center of the room was the same gift given to the princess long ago...the faith (through grace).

God gave this gift of faith with grace to you on the day you were born, “ said the queen, “because he loves you so dearly.”

The princess says, “ yes I know and I have seen you and the king model it for your whole life. I feel it is now time for me to make this gift my own.”

And now, “continued the king, “ this is your gift of faith through grace with it comes great responsibility, love, and trust, and comfort. May you model and use it where you have been gifted.”

The princess stared in amazement. She had never received such a wonderful present.

But use wisdom, my daughter and give this gift to all the strangers and people you will meet. So the princess lived for a while with the king and queen until she left the community she loved and went to share the gift with others. In sharing the gift with others she learned a respect for those who were different than her. Along with the gift came many other gifts that the princess received like a heart of compassion, eyes for others, and a love to reach those who needed and desired the gift also.

The princess took comfort in the thought, for she knew God could be trusted, and she cherished the gift because it was all that she was. The princess had this precious gift shaped by teachers, adults, friends, and others in her life who continued to help this gift grow. All the people and experiences in her journey with the gift shaped her.

There was a time when the princess took the gift and hid it away. Times when she would try and forget about it and the goodness it brought. Times when she would fail miserably with the gift and wonder why she even deserved it at all. The gift kept reminding of her of a cross that allowed for her to receive the special gift.

The princess knew that the gift was special but she also knew that this gift would not make life a fairy tale all the time. The gift went with the princess everywhere she went. Although she loved living on the mountaintop she knew that there would be times in the valley. There would be times of mourning. There would be times of tears. There would be times of chaos. There would be times of frustration. There would be times of illness. The princess was reminded that in the valleys and the mountains the gift was always there. The princess trusted the gift would bring her goodness and blessing even when things were hard. She remembered a song a teacher sang to her when she was a very little girl. The song went like this.

Life can’t be all sunshine or the flowers would die.

Rivers would be deserts all barren and dry.

Life can’t be all sunshine or there would be less need to pray.

So I thank you for the valley I walk through today.

One day the princess got a job and she took the gift with her and shared it. The princess went to a school with young adolescence. The princess used her gift of faith and grace and combined it with her gift of teaching to reach students. She also took the gifts to her church youth group, and the girls on her volleyball team. The princess knew how precious this gift she received was and wanted to share it in word and in deed to all the people she would meet. The princess knew the power of the gift and wanted others to know the power that the gift could make in their lives as well.

When given the gift so long ago the princess did not know completely what the reward and outcome of this gift would be. She knew that one day this gift would bring her to a beautiful wedding. She was told that she would be the bride beautifully dressed for the bridegroom, who sacrificed for her to receive the gift. She was told she would be at a place where all the lords and ladies who have gone before the princess will have gathered for the celebration. At this place there will be streets of gold, dancing, singing, and worship. One day if the gift was used well the princess was hoping to hear from the giver of the gift well done, good and faithful servant.

The End

All it Takes is One!

Many of you may be Hawkeye fans or something else but it was hard not to love the Cyclones last week. They not only had one feat of greatness but two last week. For the first time in 75 meetings the Iowa State Cyclones volleyball team beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Just two days later the football team beat the Huskers as well.

This feat got me thinking about the idea of one. All it takes is one sometimes.

All it takes is one smile, hug, or word of encouragment to make a bad day good.

All it takes is one interception to change the outcome of a game.

All it takes is one game versus the Tigers to send your team to the MLB playoffs.

All it takes is one extra hour of sleep this weekend to me excited.

There are so many all it takes is one.

This week in my Bible class I am teaching of the idea of One. In a different way.

I am teaching the Passover to my students in relation to the Lord’s Supper. We went to Hebrews chapter 10, which is entitled Christ’s sacrifice Once for all. In verse 10 it states, “ And by that will we have been made holy though the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ one for all.” We are made holy through one sacrifice. Also just before that in chapter 9 verse 28 it says, “ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 7: 27 says, “ unlike the other high priests, he does no need to offer sacrifices day after day first for his own sins then for the sins of the people. He sacrifieced for their sins once for all when he offered himself. We do not need daily or yearly animal sacrifices like that of the Passover. We have the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.

All it takes is one atonement to save my life. When I was a young girl I was taught atonement to mean at-one-ment. To be “at one” means be at harmony in unity with something. The idea to be at one can achieve the state of at-oneness or reconciliation.

Jesus did not need 75 matches or 32 years to accomplish the feats the Cylones did last week.. It took him hours on a cross to cover seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, and decades worth of sins. All it took was one. All it takes is that one sacrifice for me to fall to my knees in depravity and humility. Out of that one event many years ago I daily take up my cross and follow him and sacrifice my life to Jesus.

All it takes is one. May we as followers of the One be reminded each day what an amazing and incredible feat that is.

Dreams Come True when you Let God Write!

As Christians we are part of a story. The story that is embodied in the Bible, the story of creation and the fall, of God’s election of a people to be the bearers of his purpose for humankind, and of the coming of the one in whom that purpose is to be fulfilled.

When I look at the story that God has written so far for me I cannot believe it. I have had many dreams for my life and so many are a realization.

As a little girl I dreamed of being a state champion. I remember watching my mom coach volleyball and sit on the bench and be part of state championship teams I dreamed that for myself. This dream came true.

I have always had a dream of one day attending Seminary and getting my masters. As women in the reformed tradition I never dreamed it possible. Now every year for 4 weeks I sit in Seminary classes. I am finished with 5 of my 20 quarters of learning. My dream is coming true.

As a child I dreamed of being a teacher. I would sit my stuffed animals up and read them books with my coffee mug full of water in my rocking chair. Now I sit on my stool or theater chair with my name on the back MISS BROUWER and drink real coffee and read to my students.

In this dream I dreamed of one day being teacher of the year. I am not and have not been teacher of the year but I am loved. Each morning I get greeted by my special needs students with a good morning Miss Brouwer, a high five, and on the good days a hug. I get random weird notes addressed to Dr. Doofinshmirtz from Perry the Platypus. I get random hugs from students in the hallway. I have lunch buddies in 7^th grade. I have girls who want to stay in from recess to talk and hang out with me. Last week Friday as we had our annual Recreation Day I felt famous as I signed the backs of children’s t-shirts for long periods of time.

As a child you would ask me where I would want to travel to if I had to pick one place and it would always be the same place- Where Jesus walked. On my application for the Amazing Race they asked me where is one place I would dream of going and my answer was the Holy Lands. This coming summer from June 5-20 I will be going to Israel. My dream in coming true.

I had a dream of owning my own home. I have for 5 years now. In fact I was reminded of the blessing of my house as I drove home yesterday and almost hit a beautiful buck in my driveway. In my car I began to sing As the Deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship thee. My house is a dream.

I had a dream of going to Hawaii and after much saving I made it.

God has written these dreams come true in my life. As I look at the goodness and the dreams that he has made come true I cannot wait to see the dreams that I have yet seen come true.

I still dream of writing a book with titles like Jesus was single too, my life as a middle school educator, or the Multiple personality coach: how to coach all types of athletes.

I still dream of going to the Netherlands and seeing the “motherland”.

I still dream of meeting prince charming and having him sweep me off my feet. Along with that I have a dream to have children or adopt really cute one’s from Korea.

I still dream of the Twins winning the World Series (again).

I still dream of running a marathon.

I dream of my family members and friends to find grace and love in Christ and take his gift of salvation.

I know in all the dreams I have dreamed that God was a part of them all. He wrote each and every part of those stories. On those days when I want to complain about my where I am, what I am doing, or whatever I need to remember that God wrote each and every moment of my life. That is good. Really Really Good.

God may I continue to live in your will and trust you with the pen as you continue to write my story.