We're partnering with Crown of Beauty Magazine to announce the release of their Royal Issue! We loved their Beauty Issue, and can't wait to see what those talented ladies have in store for us this time (like an exclusive interview with for King & Country!). The issue releases Friday, February 14th, so order your copy today (and get a preview of the issue)! Here is a sneak peek into the issue with an article written for the Royal Issue by our managing editor, Kimmy! 

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Growing up, I loved princess stories. I wasn’t a huge fan of pink or lace or frills, but there was a certain aura surrounding the idea of princesses that I was drawn to like a bug to light on a warm summer’s night. For the longest time, though, I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what it was about princesses that inspired me so.

Recently, I decided to sit down and try to figure it out. Here is what I discovered:

A princess is a girl in process of becoming a woman. She is either born or married into a royal family. She knows who she is, has confidence in her identity, and lives out an inspiring adventure + love story that changes her and the people she meets.

She has a wealth of resources and talent that she learns to use for the greater good of serving those around her. She knows that with great power and privilege comes great responsibility; and no matter the cost to herself, she takes that responsibility seriously.

She does not allow her weaknesses to define her; rather, she strives to overcome them with humility and grace. She truly cares about others. She is curious – a learner at heart. She is honest, gentle and determined.

She isn’t perfect, but she tries to do her best. Even though she might struggle with fear, she refuses to let it keep her down, choosing instead to cling to courage because she knows that other things are more important than fear. She is beautiful inside and out.

No wonder I looked up to princesses so much growing up.

You see, I was the polar opposite. A princess was everything I wanted to be, but was not. I felt like a pauper with poor self-esteem who had no idea who I really was, living a humdrum ordinary life that wouldn’t really matter in the end, full of fear and selfishness and pride. And to top it all off, I felt ugly – on the outside and the inside.

Praise God that is not how my story ends.

When Jesus came and changed my life right before my 16th birthday, He gave me a place in His royal family – the part of His Bride, a daughter of the Most High King.

He took messy me and began the long process of transforming my caterpillar self into a butterfly. He did what I thought was impossible – taking my dark, ugly, emptiness, and turning it into light and beauty. He is the One who gave me wings to fly, who makes me beautiful, who helps me overcome my fears and insecurities.

Beautiful soul, you too are a princess. How do I know that? Because your Father is the King of Kings, and you are part of the Bride of Christ.

Maybe you’ve always loved princesses, or maybe you’ve thought they represent an ideal you could never be. Take heart, dear one! Being a princess is not out of your league, and it is not something you have to earn. It is something you are and something you become.

If you are born again into the family of God, then beautiful, you are both born and married into the royal family. It’s a done deal. Even if you don’t feel like you’re a princess, you truly are. You may feel inadequate, poor, or unlovely – but the thing about being a princess? You are one whether you like it or not.

You cannot change the fact that you are a daughter of the King. What Jesus did for you is done – it will never change. And what He did for you and me sealed our identities as princesses for eternity.

Let that reality sweep over your heart and breathe fresh air into your spirit. You are a princess! Do you know what that means?

It means that you belong. You have an identity that will not change. You can be confident in your own personality – princesses come in all shapes and sizes. You have an inspiring adventure and love story to live out. You have a wealth of resources and talents that you can use to bless others.

You have a responsibility to serve others and share the Gospel. You are not defined by your weaknesses, and you can overcome them through Jesus’ strength. You can walk in humility and grace, caring about others. You can be honest and gentle and determined and curious to learn about this grand world the Lord has made.

You don’t have to be perfect because Jesus already did that for you. You are free to do your best without worrying that it’s not good enough. You can overcome fear with courage – focusing on that which is more important than fear. And you are beautiful, inside and out. I mean it.

You have a royal birthright. Own your title and tiara! It’s yours, given to you by the Prince of Peace who loves you. Walk in confidence. You’ve got a purpose to live out and a part to play in this fairytale of life. Now that you know who you are, walk right into the adventure that He wants to walk you through. Don’t be afraid of the dragons, because your Prince is always by your side.

And in the end? We’re all going to live happily ever after.