February 22, 1992
Peggy and the Prince
Once upon a time there was a fair young maiden named Peggy who drifted thru life on a cloud a few feet off the ground. Little touched her, and life was good. Oh, she had a few problems along the way, but nothing to disturb her sheltered little world. As she drifted, she met some wonderful men she liked and who even liked her, but nothing became of the relationships and soon she drifted off in another direction, knowing that when Prince Charming arrived she would know right away.
Then one day Prince Charming came along, but he was disguised as a happy-go-lucky frog. Froggy, alias the Prince, and Peggy got to know one another and became good friends. Peggy had many friendships with men and frogs and other such things. She and the frog had many interests and talents in common, and people often asked her why she didn’t get together with Froggy. She just brushed them off with a snort of disdain for their silliness. You see, she just saw the outer skin of Froggy, seeing only the surface façade and battered edges where life and circumstance took their toll. She never saw the sensitivity to other’s needs, his foresight, and his enterprising spirit. She didn‘t appreciate his loyalty to his friends and to his God. She didn’t see this because she was caught up in her own narrow little world.
But he wasn’t blind.
He had more perception and vision and saw in her talents and potentials she never even saw in herself. So he courted her, pursued her, and waited for her, but she just accepted the frog for the entertainment value he offered, never perceiving that he loved her.
On she floated thru her life, year after year, playing with her friends and her toys, while poor Froggy sat back and watched. And waited. Burying his hopes and dreams, diverting his energies to more fruitful pursuits and more viable options.
Then gradually she became discontented and bored and realized that she had to change her life, to step out and try something new, to take a stand! So she made a decision, got off her cozy little cloud and made a commitment to her God. She really created quite a stir in all her friends and family with her decisiveness.
“Hallelujah!!” They all shouted, “Our girl lives and breathes.”
And so she did.
Her life no longer drifted along on a cloud, but ran on solid ground with all its bumps and stumbling stones, and all its beauty and joys. She looked around her and saw the error of her ways, all her faults and weaknesses and settled in to work on correcting them. At this point in her life she was content to concentrate on change rather than acquisition and other selfish motivations.
Froggy, in the mean time, was watching this process with a gladdening heart. Old buried hopes and dreams suddenly burst forth to new life!!
He once again started to court her, with more fervor and persistence, laughing in the face of rejection, only to come back again and again!!!
Peggy was at first a bit puzzled at the frequency of his attention, but soon decided that it was a phase and he would again be off chasing after other more fruitful pursuits. She then just accepted his advances when it suited her and thought little more about it.
This attitude was working well for the frog, alias the Handsome Prince; because our little Peggy was beginning to see all the wonderful qualities he had and looked less and less at the foibles.
Then gradually it dawned on her that Froggy was more intent than he used to be. This made her think, it scared her a little, too, because she really liked her friend the frog, but had a strong preconception about him that was hard to discount. So Froggy kept on being Froggy and Peggy got more and more confused, wanting to see more of him, but knowing it wouldn’t work.
Oh, what should she do?!?!?
How should she resolve this dilemma?!?!?!?!?
So she prayed.
Then she went to see her ailing friend Loni, who was experienced and wise. She was the means through which God opened Peggy’s eyes so she could see through the preconception. And just as her eyes opened, disaster struck!
A raging storm of near death and destruction swept through her life! In one gigantic upheaval she was tossed to and fro!! Up and down!!! Stretched to the breaking point!!!!! Oh will this never end?!?!?
NO!!!
Not only was her life turned upside down, she was sent on an extended journey to a far, ahhh! but beautiful land. The journey was not arduous, but it was long and it took her away from Froggy. She had a lovely time seeing the far distant land, and she met some wonderful people and had some awesome experiences.
But something was sadly lacking.
No matter how much she threw herself into the events and the entertainments offered, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was missing.
She missed Froggy.
Enormously.
And was totally and thoroughly surprised at the intensity of her feelings. She longed to see his face and hear his voice and gaze into his laughing brown eyes.
At last! The time came and she was joyfully free to return to Froggy!
Oh how happy they were. Laughing and giggling like two children full of joy and wonder and affection. They worked and played together. He encouraged her to do many things that widened her outlook and she caused him to be more focused. Happily on they went for time.
And then, near the end of an extremely magical weekend, on a beautifully clear night, with the moon and the stars doing their best to shine brightly and majestically, he hitched back his hat and kissed her.
POOF!!!
Froggy turned into……..
(LOUD FANFARE)
PRINCE CHARMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She was amazed!! Astounded!!! And discombobulated!!!!
She was awestruck!
She was hooked.
Soon they were to be wed and a cry went up throughout the land, “Praise the Lord for the miracle He has performed!!!”
For the people were in awe. They never thought it would ever happen.
It did.
Soon Peggy and the Prince will live happily ever after.
The Beginning…………………