Short Stories

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In a land not so far away, lives a mighty Prince. He is the only Son of the King. Everyone understands that this Prince will rule with His Father.

In the land there also lives a certain maiden. This woman had heard of the Prince, but it wasn't until the damsel was in distress and cried out for help that she met the King's Son. To the damsel's joyful amazement it was the Prince Who saved her.

The Prince then asked this maiden for her hand in marriage! The Prince said that He loved her and wanted to spend eternity together. He explained that the courtship would take some time, but would give the damsel time to mature in love with the Prince, to learn all about Him and His Father's kingdom. She was to prepare herself to take her place as His bride.

The damsel readily accepted the Prince's marriage proposal and claimed that she would love Him forever.

The King and all of His court rejoiced at the engagement of the Crown Prince.

The courtship was long, but unfruitful. Alas, everything and everyone seemed to have priority over the maiden's relationship with the Prince. The damsel always seemed too busy to spend much time with her Prince. Typically she only went to see Him once a week for an hour or so. The woman called on her Prince occasionally, but usually only when she had needs or was in trouble. She hardly ever spoke tenderly or lovingly to her Fiancé. Though the Prince always listened to His beloved, she tuned Him out and would not listen to Him. The Prince tried to woo His betrothed and express His undying love, but she would not receive it.

The kind Prince sent the damsel many gifts and provided for her needs. She rarely even thanked Him and the best gifts He offered her were left unopened and unused.

On a shelf in the maiden's house sat a entire volume of love letters from her Prince and stories about Him, His Father and their Kingdom, yet she was always too preoccupied to read it. The woman told herself that she would read those letters someday and that it was too hard to understand anyway. Though her Prince offered to teach his fiancée and give her understanding she never accepted His help.

The woman seldom spoke about her Fiancé. Many people didn't even realize the damsel was engaged to the Prince, so detached was she from Him.

The Prince was saddened by His betrothed's obvious lack of enthusiasm for their courtship. Though the King and His Son tried to groom her for her future position, the maiden did not respond favorably to their exhortation. She had no appreciation for the affairs of her Fiancé’s Kingdom. The maiden did little to serve her Prince or others. Though engaged to the crown Prince the damsel did not prepare for the marriage.

The King sent His servants and messengers to teach the damsel, but she dismissed their words and advice and showed little change. She kept a coarse attitude and vocabulary. The woman's conduct remained more that of a pauper than the royalty she was meant to be.

Finally the wedding day arrived. The damsel heard the trumpet signaling the marriage feast. The maiden realized she didn't even have proper attire and it was too late to get ready. Off she ran to the great banquet hall where there was much rejoicing. However the door was shut already. The damsel pounded on the door and cried "Open the door." The Prince sadly replied "I tell you the truth, I don't know you."*

The damsel was not received as the Bride because she would not accept a true loving relationship with the Crown Prince. The maiden had rejected her higher calling. She neglected to prepare to take her place as the Bride of the Prince.

The End.
Or is it?
There is still time before that final trumpet sounds. Prepare yourself, Bride.

Then the angel said to me "Write: blessed are those that are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb" and he added "These are the true words of God" (Revelation 19:9)

*But He replied, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” (Matthew 25:12)

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