Join me today as I welcome Marilynn Dawson the author of Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey.
Please enjoy an excerpt from her book below and follow Marilynn's story-telling blog tour. For her schedule of upcoming posts, click here.
In a Land, Far, Far away. . . But Closer than Any of Us Realize. . . the Following Story Continued. . .
Years passed, the Crown Prince was back on His throne by His Father's side. The great hall was filled as before, but those in black had been banished and were no longer welcome among the busy throngs. Outside palace walls and beyond the Capital City, the Realm was now a patchwork quilt of white and black, and even grey as groups of peasantry tried to live in both the white and black ways.
The Crown Prince would saddle up Swift Wind more often now to ride the paths and trails that wound among the hamlets and farms. Those in black would hide as He approached, busying themselves with tasks away from His piercing eyes. Those in grey would meet Him in the way, giving elaborate excuses for trying to live not just for the Great King, but for the Black Guard as well. The Crown Prince would move on in sorrow, shaking His head as He went. Those dressed in white would see Him coming and invite Him into their humble homes. They would celebrate with singing and dance. . . or at least they used to.
Times had changed. The white robes were now more important than the One who had supplied them. Looking after those robes became higher priority than spending time with the Crown Prince or the Great King! Father and Son pled with the people to come to them, to join them in the Great Hall, that arms were always open if they would but humble themselves and show gratitude for the sacrifice the Crown Prince had made for them. A new form of black had begun to creep in among those dressed in white. It was still white, but only white on the outside. This garment had to be put on carefully so that the black underside did not show, and the Crown Prince could see it. . .
One day as He rode through the countryside, He observed a commotion in the distance. A young lady dressed in white was being attacked by men in grey and black. One of the men in grey was trying to encourage the girl to put on grey so the attack would cease, but she wouldn't do it. She'd known in her heart it was wrong to court a man in grey, but she'd done it anyway and knew that she was paying the price for her poor judgement. Soon she was left lying in the ditch, her white garments torn and covered in blood and dirt.
She lay there, ashamed to get up, knowing that if she did so and was seen by her fellow countrymen, that she'd be banished from her village and forced to live alone. There was nowhere for her to go.
The Crown Prince had observed this from miles away and it would be many days before He would reach her region of the Realm. The young lady did what she could to clean herself up, trying to reintegrate with her townsfolk. Those who did not know of her past did not question, although eyebrows would be raised occasionally whenever a scar or a rip was revealed. The girl felt every stare acutely, and as much as she tried to fit back in, she still felt alone and hurting.
One day as she was out walking by the side of the very same road where she'd been attacked, she looked up and saw the most amazing sight! A man dressed in white was riding a white horse. White horses were unheard of in her part of the Realm for starters. But the man on the horse was no ordinary peasant! His clothing shone like the sun and glint of the metal clasps on the horse's bridle nearly blinded her. As He rode up, the gentleness of His gaze nearly had her run for cover behind a nearby bush, but her legs wouldn't carry her and she collapsed to the ground.
The Crown Prince dismounted his steed, admonishing Swift Wind to stay nearby. Swift Wind nickered softly as he found a patch of grass to nibble. The Prince walked over to the young lady and knelt beside her. Expecting judgement and berating, the girl hid her face in her hair, refusing to look up. Gently and tenderly, the Prince placed a finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to His. The girl's countenance turned from fear to amazement as she saw the most amazing love radiate from His face. The Prince brushed her hair from her face, revealing a festering wound on her cheek. She winced as a strand was removed. When the Prince moved to touch the wound, she recoiled, trying to pull away. But the Prince held her close, whispering in her ear, "Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all."
She couldn't help blushing at those words, relaxing a little in spite of herself, but feeling incredible shame at having been found in such a state by one so amazingly gentle and kind. She did not yet know she was in the hands of the Crown Prince over all the Realm.
Ever so tenderly, the Crown Prince persuaded her to let Him touch the wound on her cheek. As soon as she allowed Him, the wound healed, leaving only a faint mark where it once was. The girl touched her cheek in astonishment! Who was this man?!
As the Crown Prince gazed into the beauty of the young lady's face, He knew deep within His heart. . . He had found His Bride!
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Marilynn grew up in a solid Christian home, coming to Christ at the age of 7. She has been actively involved in Church life since age 10, including activities such as joining her Mom and sister in singing special numbers, choir, teaching Sunday School, leading Sunday School open session, planning Sunday School lessons, and more. Marilynn attended both public and private schools growing up. She attended North Island Community College on Vancouver Island and Trend College in Kelowna, obtaining certificates in receptionist work and Comptia A+ computer repair.
Throughout her life, Marilynn has written poetry and published a few of them in the American Poetry Anthology(two issues). She currently does freelance work for a technical blog in Alberta. She's also written numerous unpublished articles on end-time eschatology and the news, written unpublished short stories, word studies and more.
Marilynn lives with her two teenagers, cat and gerbils, in Kelowna BC Canada. Her day job sees her fix computers, program cash registers, and engage in multimedia for her church. In the evenings and on weekends she's a soundtech helping with various events through the year from funerals to workshops to concerts and weddings. Marilynn sings in the choir, holding down the tenor section, and sang on her church's praise teams for several years as an alto or tenor substitute.
Marilynn can be contacted via her author page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Marilynn.Dawson.Author or by email: author@fa-ct.com
