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 Do you remember the Disney movie “The Little Mermaid”? Ariel trades her life in the sea to pursue a human she has fallen in love with. But like every good story, it doesn’t come easy. In fact, Ariel almost loses the love of her life to another woman. But when all is said and done, it all works out and they both live happily ever after. Of course they do. But did you know that in the original fairytale, written by Hans Christian Andersen, this was not the case? In his story, The Little Mermaid does lose the love of her life to another woman. She actually carries the train of the other woman’s bridal gown…and stands by while she marries her prince. And it gets worse… She is now destined to die because she couldn’t find love. But there’s a twist! She can be saved…if she’ll only slay her love with a magic knife. But The Little Mermaid can’t bring herself to kill the man she loves, so she casts herself into the sea to her death. Well I guess we can see why Disney took the liberty to change the ending a bit! I don’t think this version would go over too well. While I understand the revision, a part of me wonders if we are becoming too accustomed to the idea of “happily ever after”…so much so that we are often unable or unwilling to even engage with the idea of losing our life for someone else’s happiness instead of our own. I don’t know about you, but I set out for marriage with a Disney version in mind. I got married for the happy ending, not to go into the business of losing my life and all that craziness. But you know what I eventually learned? God didn’t invent marriage to make us happy. I know that’s a kick in the gut. But it’s true. Everything God has created is purposed to reveal His glory, and marriage is no exception. It’s a beautiful display of God’s covenant with His people. We make vows that we will never leave or forsake one another, because this is the Truth God wants to speak to us. In this instance, I think Andersen’s version hits the mark a little better. After all, Jesus said it himself more than 1800 years before this tale was ever written: “Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friend”. Are we setting out in marriage with this goal in mind? To lose our lives for the sake of our spouse? Most of us can love pretty well if the right conditions are met. But are we prepared to love when it costs us everything? Even our own ideas of a happy ending? I actually think being unhappy is a fate worse than death for many of us, and the instinct for survival is powerful. In a life and death decision, it is only Love that can bear the weight of the right choice. This kind of love is tough, and we need God’s help to do it correctly. But there’s a twist to this story too! Jesus tells us to sacrifice ourselves for others and ultimately for Him. That’s what marriage is truly all about. But He also makes us this stunning promise: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it”. Truth is, we will never go wrong when we love others for the sake of the Gospel. And that makes for a very, very happy ever after.  About Nicole Nicole is a wife and stay-at-home mom to three energetic children in Lake Villa, IL. In addition to writing, she enjoys serving as the Care Team Leader for her church's MOPS group and is also a part of the Sunday worship team. Other interests include performing Improv, venturing outdoors...and pretending to be a chef, thanks to the Food Network. Nicole has a heart for "getting real" with other women and helping them discover Jesus through honesty, empathy, and the power of "me too". Connect with her at MotherhoodConfessions.com
10 Comments
Jim
4/23/2013 05:03:30 am
Check out the musical Once On This Island. It is a retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson story, but set in the Caribbean. Music is beautiful and the final 'love conquers death' is great. 4/23/2013 10:00:31 am
So true! Thank you so much for sharing. I knew there was a reason I couldn't get into the whole Disney princess thing with my daughter, but you have explained it so succinctly with a fantastic example! I had no idea that this was how the original went, but it makes more sense to me somehow. Nan....thank you for the invite :) Jim...that sounds awesome, I will try to check it out! Heather... I have always been somewhat vocal about my dislike for the story of Ariel, but it was interesting to read the original story!! Much more honorable character in Andersen's version don't you think?! This reminds me of the book, "The Cinderella Syndrome". I think it came out in the 1970's. I remember dreaming of my prince, my knight in shining armor... And yes it is unrealistic and unhealthy. I'm all for love in marriage and a marriage without Jesus has a rough go. This was a great post with a lot of truth. A friend of mine had her daughter read all the original fairy tales (Christiansen, the Grimm's and others)... Disney sure does change the story lines. Have a wonderful weekend :) I remember the season that I gave up my "happily ever after" dream. It was 5 years after marriage and I did not love my husband. I remember telling the Lord, "Ok Lord, I will stick with this only because I made a commitment before you...even if I am unhappy the rest of my life." Somehow I knew the Lord would bless my commitment. He has brought restoration in ways I never knew were possible in a marriage. It took years and developed in layers but God is so good and in Christ I now have my happily ever after. Falling in love with the Lord and desiring intimacy with Him has opened up doors for me to love others and be loved. Love your words here:) Blessings to you! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart Wow! I didn't realize that was the original Little Mermaid ending. I read it years and years ago, but I didn't remember at all. How sad! But you're so right. Marriage is not about making yourself happy. It's about dying to self, and laying down self everyday to serve your spouse and God. That's what the Bible means in Ephesians 5 about husbands loving their wives as Christ loved the church and laid down His life for her and wives submitting to their husbands like Christ submitted to the will of the Father. It's unbelievably hard, but it's not impossible with God. I think if more couples understood this when they got married, there would be happier marriages and fewer divorces. I've never heard the original version before...it's so tragically romantic. I wish everyone who was getting married could take a marriage prep course that teaches them that marriage is not happily ever after...it's working through the hard, painful, gritty parts to get to the happy parts. 9/20/2022 12:48:22 pm
Amen! Giving up ourselves for God's Will and still being able to keep our marriage strong Leave a Reply. |
