Beautiful Prayer

The peasant gives little thought to his shabby clothes as he is escorted into the brilliant palace hall. He can feel the cool marble floor beneath the padding of his calloused bare feet.

As he eagerly strides past the gold-plated pillars

that tower above on either side,

his gaze is fixed ahead on the door to the throne room.

Above the door in flowing, elegant script,

reads the name of the kingdom: Grace.

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This ragged peasant is taken-aback in awe every time he unbolts the large oak doors

with his personal key and swings them open

to reveal the glory within.

Every muscle in his body twitches with the urge

to run down the long corridor

so that he can be near to the throne faster,

but he reigns in his excitement.

The roll of exquisite, purple carpeting carries him

right up to foot of the throne,

where he immediately buries his face into the plush velvety softness.

For there,

he is surrounded by light and majesty.

It is not the golden light that is streaming in

from the stained glass windows,

but a sheer, white light that radiates from the throne itself.

Every time, this moment surprises him.

While the peasant no longer remembers

how many times he has entered,

he is struck once again at

how unworthy he is in the face of such splendor and goodness.

His body is racked with great, heaving sobs

at the memories of the quarreling before he left home.

He has not just harmed his wife.

This is a personal offense to the rules the King has established.

All that our peasant friend can do

is to declare over and over again, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

The King is on His throne and beside Him,

the Prince grins widely. "Stand, dear one. Because you ask, you are forgiven."

The King summons and the peasant responds obediently.

He listens intently to the Voice of Love

as the King speaks His next words.

"I know you have come here to beg forgiveness

for this offense against my name.

And I gladly give it.

You also seek counsel on how to handle the situation.

I have all this planned out as well.

Trust me and I will help you.

What else is on your heart today, my son?"

The reference to his adoption fills the peasant

with a renewed boldness as he looks into the tender eyes of the king.

"I have come to make request for my family

and for two families that live in our area.

All of our food is running dangerously low and

I cannot afford to feed the precious babies that you have entrusted to me.

Will you help us?"

Once again, he bows his head in respect.

The Prince nods in understanding and then leans in close to His Father's right side.

"I know what it's like in the village, Father. I've been there. I wore those rags and drank that water. I slept on the straw mat the peasant uses, and played with his kids and his dog. I huddled around the candlelight with him and his wife, and explained to them the books on their shelf that did not make sense before. Hear him out, Father,

for his needs are many.

And I care deeply about him."

The King nods in appreciation to his earnest beloved Son,

and then turns to answer the peasant.

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The peasant smiles to himself as he begins his journey back to the town. He is leading one of the king's own horses who is weighted down with an adequate amount of food for the peasant's family and friends.

He still doesn't know why they wanted to invite someone like him. But they have promised, and they ALWAYS keep their promises. Someday, this palace will be his home.

He will no longer make these frequent treks up the mountain to visit this place that he loves so much.

The Prince has promised that he is adding on rooms to the palace - on the best side, no less, where the view stretches out for miles, and the heat easily envelopes the room during winter.

There are a great many rooms. In fact, a room is being prepared for each villager who has requested one.

One day, the peasant and his family will be brought to live with the Prince as their brother and the King as their father.

Until then, this lowly peasant will continue to visit the royal family every day without fail, to find grace and mercy

to help in his time of need.

And to be reminded of his true home.

This kingdom is ruled differently from any other.

This is the Kingdom of Grace.

(My devotions today were in Hebrews 4:14-16. Can ya tell? ;-)