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Jewel
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Location: Blogs WCFS NewsletterGary's Articles |
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| Posted by: Newsletter Editor |
7/2/2008 |
Jewel :
Once upon a time there was a beautifully tender-hearted princes named Jewel who was cared for faithfully by her Nana in a far-away country called Thead. Now Nana had been strictly charged that she was to provide every necessity of the princess, but never to build up excessive wardrobes or other things of delight, for a day was coming when the King and Queen would send their son Sesuj to fetch his bride from Thead and bring her back with him to live happily ever after. Sesuj had provided Nana with a detailed description of the home he was building for Jewel in the country of Veneah. It told of streets paved in gold and garments so brilliant that they seemed to shine like the sun. The food there was also delightful and plentiful in such a manner that the trees produced twelve different kinds of fruit, one crop each month! Nana faithfully read the stories to Jewel all the time. With every action and provision of care in Thead, Nana reminded her that she need not grasp onto any of her present possessions because when the King∂s son, Sesuj came, he would only take his bride, but she would bring nothing with her when she went to Veneah; even the very clothes she wore would be set-aside for the brilliant robes Sesuj would bring to her. However, Jewel was often forlorn and distressed. For everyday, she looked out her window and noticed how fine and fair all of her neighbors lived. They had nice clothes and many things to possess, both of beauty and usefulness. Sometimes, even the wonderful stories of Veneah failed to comfort her as she gazed upon all that others had, when she had so little. Such pain! To feel alone, different. Was this really living? Why did it have to hurt so much? Why did others seem to disregard her as if she weren∂t really even a person? It seemed the more that she thought about these things, the more she hurt. Veneah seemed unreal and Sesuj imaginary. Was she passing up her life waiting for a fairy tale? Sometimes she wondered. But Nana was wise, and the King and Queen had anticipated these difficult days. They had written a little book by which to comfort, teach and instruct Jewel. The purpose of the book was to teach and remind Jewel that her duty was to serve the interests of the Royal Family while she dwelt in Thead. She was to help the needy and invite the lonely to come to her wedding, whenever her bridegroom would come. For though she could not bring things with her, she could bring as many people who would come with her. Thus, the only antidote to her pain was the joy in realizing that she is to be the Sesuj's bride, and that every sorrow in Thead could not compare to the joy that would be revealed on her wedding day! And so Jewel had a choice. She could increase her sorrow or increase her joy. It all depended upon what she focused on,: the promise or the pain. Nana gave her a simple plan. Whenever the pain begins, look to the joys promised to her! Remember that she is the wife-to-be of Prince Sesuj! Count every present pleasure as loss for the excellency of knowing that she is to be Sesuj's wife one day. Yes, that was it! She must consider herself as dead to this world of Thead. With every breath she takes, she is alive for Veneah and the Prince, Sesuj. Slowly she saw how easy it could be. She began to take every sorrow and the very pain of being different in Thead and count it joy. That which used to cause her pain began to be the reminder of her joy. She began to press toward the goal of preparing to be the bride of Sesuj. Nothing else was that important. Nothing else satisfied. Soon, her gentle joy began to be noticed by Nana and strangers alike. Why was she always so happy? She had no reason in Thead in which to rejoice! Her joy stirred up curiosity in others, and they began to ask her, ∏Why are you so full of hope?∑ In meekness and fear Jewel would tell them of the great promise she had of becoming the daughter-in-law to the King and Queen. She was to be married to Sesuj! Did they want to come with her to the wedding? They were invited, if only the would come! And so it was that by the time Sesuj finally arrived to take his bride, Jewel had gathered a great company of attendants. They had given up all to be a part of this great occasion. And how was it that so many believed? It was the quiet and peaceable joy of Jewel that spoke so convincingly of the truth that Sesuj was coming. Convinced, they were invited to come to the wedding feast. And so it was, and so he came. And there was not one sorrow or loss that Jewel had ever had that could ever be compared to the joy that she now had as the bride of Sesuj. But what became of Nana? Did she lose her life in another∂s and gain no reward? Not on your life! Nana had done her service of nurture and care for the bridegroom. She did not lose her reward! Nana also came with the wedding party to the land of Veneah. She was appointed a higher service in the court of the King and Queen. For she too had been promised, ∏If you will faithfully serve the Royal Family in this small matter, you will be rewarded with such joy and delight in the land of Veneah that cannot be imagined in the land of Thead. And so she did, and so it was. The End! GLC |
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