I, a fair maiden
Strong, independent
Uncaring, unfeeling
Yet I was broken.
I lived and studied
I laughed and played
Yet I was dry, I was empty
I was fake
I was once invited to a ball
They said we were celebrating the King
“What king?” said I, “Our country has none.”
But nobody answered me.
I went anyways
When the doors opened for me at the castle
I was astonished!
What splendor! What beauty!
Everyone was so finely dressed
Adorned in gold and twinkling jewels.
I felt ashamed of the worn, plain dress that I wore.
But my heart was proud,
So I walked forward like a haughty queen.
Pretending to be something that I wasn’t.
All of the people were dancing and laughing
Their faces were aglow with joy and innocence.
The ladies all spun and twirled
While the gentlemen strongly took their hands to lead.
I forgot worrying about my dress as I openly examined them
They were so happy, so beautiful, how? Why?
I had seen this group of people around before.
They weren’t the strongest, or the wisest,
or the richest, or even the most successful.
They were just plain, ordinary people.
A man interrupted my thoughts as he humbly asked me to dance
I was surprised that he would ask seeing how ugly I was dressed.
But I took his hand anyways and I walked onto the floor with him.
How funny this man danced!
I had never seen anything like it before.
I found I had no idea what to do,
I imagine we looked pretty silly trying to dance.
But he smiled sympathetically towards me and gently
Showed me where to put my hands and feet.
But it was no use.
Embarrassed and still proud
I asked him instead to get me a drink.
As he disappeared I walked quickly to the restroom.
A group of ladies was there talking to one another.
When I walked in they greeted me warmly,
I was so shocked! The also didn’t seem to care
About my dress.
“Welcome sister!” they called to me.
Suspiciously I approached them.
I was accustomed to flattery, but I knew there was always a price for it.
“Tell me,” I said, “ who is this King we celebrate?”
Their eyes lit up even brighter.
“He is the Lion. He is the lamb. He is the Beginning and He is the End.
He is a warrior but gentle and true.” They almost sang to me.
“Where is he?” I asked, “I would like to see this man.”
“Why sister,” they said as we reentered the ballroom,
“He is one His throne.”
And then one of the women gestured toward the far end of the ballroom.
I looked were she gestured.
How had I not seen this throne before?
Everything in the room led toward it.
All of the people would consistently glance up and beam in that direction.
How had I missed this?
The throne was large and made of solid gold.
Decorated with fancy inscriptions and pictures of battles.
It shone like a beacon under the lamps.
On this magnificent throne sat a man,
And a very simple man at that.
His gazed was filled with fierce love for his people
As the danced before Him.
And He held the attitude of strong authority.
Despite his plainness there was something
About him that made him very beautiful to me.
He was robed and crowned in splendor.
This was the beloved King that I had never heard of.
As I gazed on this powerful King my shame grew.
I realized how truly ugly I was.
My pride swelled and I became very defensive
About my shortcomings.
I began to dislike the king a little.
He made me feel dirty and broken.
But I was strong; I was independent
I was fine.
I turned to leave this place.
To leave these silly people who danced differently.
To leave this King who penetrated my defenses.
I turned to flee because I was scared.
But, as I turned, the King caught my eye.
I froze.
Slowly, He rose from His throne and a hush fell over the ballroom
Everyone slowed.
I couldn’t move at all. All I could do
Was stare at this majestic King.
He began to walk toward me
And all the people parted to let Him through.
My heart started beating wildly, violently
I felt it would jump out of my chest at any moment.
When he was almost to me I crumbled.
I fell to my knees and touched my forehead to the floor
Who was I to receive such attention?
I was dirty, and ugly and lost, why me?
He should be approaching the most beautiful of ladies
Or the strongest of gentlemen.
He should throw a whore like me out.
When he reached me He gently whispered
“Daughter, rise and let me see you.”
‘No!’ I thought
‘He must never see me. I am not fit to be seen.’
I didn’t want to face His repulsion.
I felt His hand gently pressing my head
And my resistance fell away.
I rose and stood before the King.
It took a while, but I finally got the courage to look upon His face.
Oh! What I saw there!
His eyes were lit with adoration.
This King clearly thought that
I was beautiful
He held His hand out for mine.
I withdrew slightly.
“I-I don’t know how to dance in your fashion, my Lord.”
I dropped my head in shame as I stammered.
“I will teach you.” His voice was gentle and sounded like music, “It won’t be easy, and you will fail many times, but I will be with you always and I will protect you.”
I knew that was my heart’s greatest desire.
I stared at His hand.
Could I trust this man?
Would He grow tired of me?
I had never trusted my well being to anyone else
I had always taken care of myself.
Why should I trust this King?
But for some reason, I decided that I could.
Trembling, I reached out and took His hand.
His gaze held so much love for me
I felt I should be swallowed by it.
With His other hand he removed his royal robe and draped it over me
“Welcome home, Beloved.”
He led me to the floor and held me close to Him.
The music played and we began to dance.
At first, I tried to dance the way I learned from home
But the King shook His head and corrected me gently,
“Let
me lead, Beloved.” He whispered.
I relented and melted into His strength and
I followed His movements until
we moved as one across the dance floor.
Again, I wondered why the King chose
To invite me into His kingdom.
I was so unworthy and so unclean.
How would I fit into His kingdom?
Almost as if He read my thoughts, the King stopped dancing
And lead me toward one of the mirrors in the hall.
I gasped
My dirty, ugly dress had been replaced by a flowing blue gown.
Flowers were braided into my hair and I was decorated with jewels like a Christmas tree.
I was so clean…
I was so beautiful…
I was so transformed…
I couldn’t breathe for a full minute
I turned to look at my King
His gaze full of adoration and love
I fell into his arms and wept overwhelmed by all He had given me.
He held me close and let His love wash over me.
I was home, I was safe.
He leaned back and looked more serious as He said,
“This isn’t the end, this is only the beginning.
The road will be hard and uncomfortable.
You will be hurt and tried and you will want to give up.”
I thought silently for a moment, weighing my options.
Finally I looked at my King, who I love dearly, and said:
“I will go where you go,
I will say what you say,
I will see what you see.
I want to be with you always.”
He smiled at me and leaned closer to whisper in my ear…
“So be it.”
*The above is metaphorical representation of my love story with Christ
(This post has the blogworthy seal of approval from Joshua)
