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The Bride wept; withering in despair. Discouragement harangued her every breath.
Alone in her room, she remembered her groom’s grotesquely beaten body being buried in death.
Her sobbing ceased with a rap at the door. Tears still streaming, she whimpered, “Who is it?”
“A servant of the Groom. I bear gifts for the Bride.”
“Surely, you haven’t heard. My Groom is gone.”
“Allow me, my Maiden. My Master has presents prepared for you.”
“My beloved is dead. I saw with my own eyes His life evaporate from my presence.”
“Yes, but like rain, He will return. I beg of you, Bride, open this barrier between you and what your Groom has given.”
Reluctantly, the Bride opened the door. Before her stood a man dressed in bright white linen, with a face the color of the sun, holding a silver tray.
“May I enter, my Maiden?”
The Bride swooned, swallowed by the sight of the Spirit. She awoke sitting at her table, the silver tray set before her.
“May I show you the gifts?”
“But, for what use? My Groom was murdered. He is buried in a tomb. How can we be wed now?”
“Bride, the Groom will return. He wants you to have these gifts to prepare you for the wedding. Allow me.”
The servant lifted the cover off the silver tray.
The Bride was astonished.
“Strange food?”
“Fruit, my Maiden.”
“Fruit?”
“Yes, my Master wants you to eat of these until He comes back.”
“I am familiar with some, but most I have never seen.”
The servant began picking up the gifts one at a time.
“This is a strawberry, the fruit of love. Your Groom wants you to never forget His tenderness.”
The Bride took a bite. She closed her eyes; reliving the soft touch of her beloved’s hand.
“This one is a pineapple. Smell the aroma of happiness and joy.”
The Bride took a large breath and smiled.
The servant reached for a slice of red fruit. “This is a piece of watermelon. It will taste like the peace of your Groom’s presence.”
“What is that yellow one?”
“A lemon. A fruit you have to eat slowly, with patience.”
The Bride picked up a soft, almost furry fruit. “And this?”
“A peach. It nourishes you with gentleness.”
Grinning, the Bride reached for a banana. “This one I know. It is my favorite. The flavor is so good,”
“And, it shall bring you goodness, my Maiden.”
“Ah, and two cherries whose stems are joined together. What quality will these bring me?”
“Faith, to keep you strong until you are reunited with your Groom.”
“And grapes.” Would you care for one, servant?”
“No thank you, Bride. But, they are meant to be shared in kindness.”
‘What of the apple then? Can I eat of it?”
“Yes, that you can, but let it remind you to live a self-controlled life.”
“So, these are the gifts my Groom has left for me until His return?”
“Yes, Bride. He has many riches, yet these are what he has told me to give to you. They will keep you ready and strong until the trumpet blows and He comes once again for His Bride.”
“A trumpet?”
The Bride looked up from the table and noticed the servant was gone. She stared back at the gifts from her groom for a moment and then smiled. Renewed, she stood and picked up the silver tray and walked out her opened door into the sunlight.
“I think I shall go share my gifts.”
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