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I stood at the entrance to the garden, enthralled with the beauty I found there. The lush green carpet of grass beckoned me to walk through it with my bare feet, feeling the cool softness. A myriad of flowers in every color of the rainbow graced the borders of the verdant lawn. Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies darted about among the plants. A weeping willow tree stood beside a gurgling brook. It was all so beautiful. Dare I enter in?
The king had invited me, me, one of his subjects to come walk with him there. To be asked to be a special friend and companion of the king was a great honor. How could this be? I had done nothing to deserve it.
"Ah, there you are." The deep voice startled me. I looked up to see the king standing on the path beside the brook. He motioned for me to come join him.
I stood, trembling, unable to move forward. The king called out to me, "Come. We have much to talk about, you and I." What could the king be interested in talking with me about? I had so little to offer, me being 'just a peasant.’
Taking tentative steps, I entered the garden. My heart swelled with wonder of it all, and before I knew it, I threw my hands up in the air and whirled around, my skirts brushing against my legs. The grass felt so good on my aching feet. For a brief second I forgot whose presence I was in. Then I remembered. Oh! My inhibitions came crashing down on my heart, stopping my impromptu dance. How could I have been so bold as to throw caution to the wind and dance like that before the king? What must he think of me?
Laughter full of delight tickled my ears. I looked up to see the king smiling at me, his face radiant with unabashed joy. I felt confused and I'm sure my face showed it, for he said, "Child, you have no need to be afraid. I invited you to come walk with me in the garden for I desire to spend time with you every day. I have so much I want to show you. Today, if you are willing, will be the beginning of many special times for us."
I looked up at him with amazement. "But why? Why me? I do not understand why you would want to have me walk with you. There are many others more worthy than I whom you could have chosen for this honor."
"My child, I have chosen you. It is not a matter of worth. I want you to know that I love you and you can come boldly before my throne any time you have a need or anytime you just want to sit with me and be."
"But... I..." I couldn't go on. A feeling of awe overcame me and I threw myself at his feet. Prostrating myself before him, I grabbed hold of his feet and wept. Sobs of a deep sorrow racked my body. I had no idea I held such sadness within me until that moment. His love was drawing it out of me, as I washed his feet with my tears. I knew then, that the king wanted intimacy with me.
My tears spent, I looked up at the king and saw a look of tenderness such as I had never seen. He looked at me, knowing my heart. Still he beckoned me with his eyes, full of compassion, to come walk with him in the garden of his heart. Somehow, I instinctively knew that we would spend many hours walking and talking. This newfound knowledge assured me that the garden of his heart would be a place of safety and rest where I would be fully known, completely loved, incredibly cherished. I was in this moment, becoming bold.
He held out his nail-scared hand to me. I reached up and took it and together we began to walk through the garden. As we walked, I began to talk. I couldn't help myself. His heart drew me. I shared more with him than I ever had with any other person. He listened intently and then, he shared his heart with me.
In our time together, I prayed that I would always know that I really could come with a bold heart before his throne of grace, (i) always welcomed, accepted, loved.
(i) Hebrews 4:16
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