Seeing Jesus in Disney Princesses

After starting our family with two boys I have to admit, I thought there was little chance my daughter would have any desire to be feminine and so I was pleasantly surprised when she developed a love for dresses and princesses. That said, it's starting to get out of control. When we were at Disney World last month I told each of the kids they could buy one thing as a souvenir. Selah carefully chose a new princess doll to add to her collection - the latest Disney Princess....Merida. Kim and I told her she could open the box when we got home but we should have known better. Here was my conversation with her in Orlando:

S: Can I open the box now? 

Me: No, not now. 

S: But I love her!

Me: Do you love her more than daddy?

S: Yes. 

Me: But she's not real. 

S: I know.

Me: She can't talk. 

S:  I know...but I love her. 

Me: She can't love you back. 

S: I know.  

Me: Do you really love her more than daddy? 

S: (long pause) Okay. No. So can I open the box now?!?

From this conversation I came to two conclusions. One: females do have a higher emotional intelligence than males. (at least in my family) Two: Idolatry begins at a very young age. I also realized there if very little difference between a four year old girl and full-grown adults when it comes to loving things that are not real, that don't love us, and that cannot love us back. These little idols come in all shapes and size from a successful career, money, cars, homes, children, finding the perfect partner, etc. The great tragedy is that in loving created things we fail to recognize the love of the Creator - God Himself. May we discover the one true love our hearts are longing for. May we come to love the God who loves us and who is love (1 Jn 4:8).

"God nowhere tells us to give things up for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having - life with Himself." -Oswald Chambers