Sleeping Beauty

by Brenda Black
Published April 17, 2009

Home alone! It’s not as scary as you may think. I love my family dearly, but a few hours of solitude can occasionally be a welcome relief. The boys had decided to take in a cow sale and were leaving before I could complete some necessary chores for the week. I opted out to finish up tasks at home then catch some down time, all alone.

Their time of departure had an added benefit – too early for supper. That means forget cooking and start foraging for something easy when it’s just me. A simple cup of soup, crackers and cheese was adequate and quick.

I got the laundry done, laid out clothes for Sunday, wrote some notes, and finished writing an article. With no competition, the bathroom was all mine! I didn’t have to wait until everyone was in bed and the hot water heater had caught up again.

My to do list was checked, I could sit down and relax. I started channel hopping, praying for something decent to watch. A Disney classic was airing. My heart skipped a beat. I thought to myself, “Oh, it’s truly a girl’s night in - soup, shower, nail polish and now some good childhood memories with ‘Sleeping Beauty’.”

The show was already in progress. Three little fairies where conspiring to save the princess. I smiled at their pleasantly plump appearance and their colorful personalities. It had been years since I last saw this movie. As I watched, I thought it odd how much my analytical, adult eye detected that I never must have noticed as a child.

I noticed Sleeping Beauty’s willingness to hold hands with a complete stranger and to even rest her head on his shoulder! They only met a short song earlier.

I also didn’t recall the hideous vermin that worked for the evil queen or the rage and cynicism she showed them. I am quite certain I didn’t know then that her name, Maleficent, means harmful, hurtful, or evil. That is why she roared at Prince Phillip that he would have to conquer “hell” itself.

And he did. Armed with the shield of righteousness and a sword meant for good, the hero fought through a thorny jungle and slew the beast. All done for love.

Wow! I didn’t remember it being that intense. As an adult, this common theme in childhood stories of evil verses good makes more sense. Here in the real world, void of animation, evil lurks. God’s Word says in Psalm 141:8-10, “But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.”

While the prince was guided safely and supernaturally protected, it doesn’t come close to the mighty, unseen hand that saves us. “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.” (Ps. 147:5-6).

By the time the movie ended, my fellas were home. I was rested and ready, glad for their safe return. They may not have fought dragons to get to me, but I knew I would sleep beautifully just knowing we were all safe and sound. It’s good to know, “The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” (Ps. 145:20)

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