A Story for Claire

Today is my friend Claire's birthday. This story is for her (we had story time before). And for me. And for you.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl who lived in a quaint village in a small log cabin near the river. She loved to walk along the river and ponder life and love and what the future would hold.

Because of her beauty, she won the favor of the King. He knew who she was even before she knew he existed. He was watching her from a distance and waiting for her to notice him. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

One day, as she was taking a stroll along the river when she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She thought it was a man, but she wasn't sure. At first, she was frightened. She wondered if she should run away. But then, he was there. He was standing right in front of her and she couldn't move. She knew something was about to happen to her, but she was curiously not afraid of him.She recognized him as someone others called the King.

When she looked into his eyes, she could see the depths of her own heart staring back at her. She knew her own heart, and was certain that she recognized it as her own, but it looked... different. Somehow, more peaceful than she had remembered. She looked away from him and looked into her own heart and saw the darkness, the despair, the fears and the shame of her life. He put his hand on hers. It felt strange. She looked down and saw that it was bleeding. He was bleeding and his blood was on her hand. She wanted to pull away from him, to run, but something held her there. It was his eyes. Those eyes. She remembered moments ago looking into those amazing eyes so she turned her gaze back to them. In those eyes, she again saw her own heart, covered in the same blood that was on her hand. She soon realized that she was not seeing herself as if she were looking in a mirror, where all of her faults were revealed. No, this reflection was different. This was washed in blood... his blood... and in the depths of his eyes she saw her heart like it was new. She saw freedom. She saw peace. She saw rest for her soul. She saw beauty in herself for the first time. She knew, somehow, in the presence of this King, that she was loved.

God bless you, Miss Claire!