In my last post I said that I am not the same girl I was seven years ago. If you had asked me then if I was a “princess” my answer would have been an emphatic NO. I am a mom of three after all. Kids are one of God’s greatest tools to stretch us and teach us how to serve. No one wants to get up at 3 a.m. for feedings, but that is what moms do….over and over again. Each time, a little of our life self-centeredness shrinks and we grow in giving. And of course that is only the beginning of the sacrifices we make for our kids. But when fiery trials enter our lives, suddenly the exterior is burned away and the hidden is revealed. Mine was not too pretty. I’ll never forget the day I met my inner princess.
Dale was unable to work due to his brain condition, but he could do a lot of other things. He was able to drive and do the grocery shopping in the beginning. He could do simple chores around the house to help out. Before I went to work I would write out a short list with a few tasks like vacuuming and unloading the dishwasher. I had already started taking over the finances and most responsibilities of the household. One day I came home after a particularly exhausting day at work. As I walked in the door, I saw that nothing on the list had been done. Worse yet, the house was more of mess than when I had left. I walked into the living room to find the T.V. blaring and Dale asleep on the couch. At that moment, my inner princess stomped her pouty little foot in my heart. “It’s not fair!” I heard her whine. “He has been home all day and nothing has been done. Do I have to do everything?” But then the quiet voice of the Lord cut my heart like a knife. “It’s not fair? Look at all he has lost. “ And just like that, my princess crown crashed to the floor as I saw my selfishness.
Self-centeredness is so intrinsically wrapped around our sin nature, that only the hottest fire can bring it fully to the surface. The process of really laying down my life started that day. I often had to look to Jesus as my example of servanthood. My service to Dale was more than loving my husband, it was worship to him. He said; “as you do to the least of these, you have done it unto me.”
Lisayake.com 
My dear sweet friend,
I finally found your blog; it brought tears to my eyes. I have had the blessing of having you as my neighbor for these past 24 years, and I know a little about the burden you carried. You should know that from my vantage point you have always carried yourself with extreme grace and fortitude. You have also been a great source of inspiration for me. My love and prayers are always with you. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blogs.
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Love you sweet neighbor!
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Lisa, this is such an honest and open writing. Thank you for being so willing to listen to the Lord. You are a blessing!
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Thanks Sherry!
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Lisa, I love this. And I can relate. I too, through the years, have had to learn servanthood. Not an easy lesson, but the Lord is good and we learn to trust and live in him.
Thank you for sharing❤️
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Thanks so much Cheryl.
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Lisa,
What an inspirational sharing of losing your “inner princess.” It brought me to deeper inward reflection of God’s amazing love! Blessed Be! Thanks for sharing! ❤️🙏🏾✝️
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Thanks so much for those kind words Glenda.
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Let me set the record straight, for someone who has known you your entire life. Princess maybe, but a princess who did not mind getting dirty. Who liked climbing trees and could keep up with the boys, you have always been fearless and not afraid of the unknown. Those traits would serve you well as you entered into this difficult season and as you continue this journey.
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Love you big brother!
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‘Death Of A Princess’
Oh Lisa, when I entered the season of my husband’s illness where each day he began needing, more and more care I am grateful to the Lord for giving me the strength to be strong for Danny. After reading this post I look at this with fresh eyes. I just never realized my servanthood was actually an act of worship to God.
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