Guest Post by Marilynn Dawson: “Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey” Christmas Progression

I am participating today in a sort of story progression Marilynn Dawson has put together. I will share the other blogs in the series so you can find any segments you’ve missed and know where to go next.

December 13th Ch 2 Cheryl Cope
http://www.cherylcope.com/book-excerp…

December 14h Ch 3 Vanessa Hancock
Sand Castles and Sn ow Forts: http://sandcastlesandsnowforts.blogsp…#

December 15th Ch 4 Eileen Hinkle Rife
http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com/

December 16th Ch 5 Jim Armstrong
The Day The World Retreated: http://tdtwr.wordpress.com/

December 17th Ch 6 Bobbly Bentz
http://www.christiancontroversy.com/blog/2012/12/17/Becoming-The-Bride-of-Jesus-Christ-A-Personal-Journey.aspx

December 18th Ch 7 Mary Campagna Findley
Elk Jerky for the Soul: https://findleyfamilyvideopublications.wordpress.com/

December 20th Ch 9 Tiffany Chase
Voice 4 Society: http://voice4society.wordpress.com

December 21st Ch 10 Karen Dininny Spafard
http://hagarswell.wordpress.com/ and
www.stillthemama.blogspot.com

December 24th Ch 13 Laura J. Marshal
The Old Stone Wall: www.theoldstonewall.blogspot.com

Here’s my part of Marilynn’s story. After it you’ll find a giveaway link to follow to enter her drawing.

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In a Land, Far, Far away. . . But Closer than Any of Us Realize. . . the Following Story Continued. . .

Time passed. Snow covered the ground as Maria made her way back to the village that was now her home. Night was swiftly falling and the stars began to hint at their presence in the darkening sky. Maria had remembered to bring the lantern with her on this errand, remembering that dark and terrible night when a similar errand left her stranded, unable to tell which way to go.

That particular night, as she had tried to make her way along with what slivers of light the moon gave her between thick clouds, she had fallen again! The memory made her shiver and she wrapped her cloak around herself even tighter. She couldn’t help remembering how terrible she felt when a bright light blinded her, and before she could focus, who should be standing before her but The Crown Prince! She waited for the berating, for the rebuke at having forgotten the lantern He’d so graciously provided for her. But none came.

As the snow crunched beneath her feet, the glitter of the snow reminded her of how her heart leapt when instead of berating her, the Crown Prince scooped her into His arms, relieved that she wasn’t hurt. How she loved it whenever He held her close like that. But upon safe delivery home to Teacher’s house, the Crown Prince was on His way again after a peck on the cheek and promise to return.

That was only a month ago, but it seemed like yesterday. The biggest part of this memory that captivated her wasn’t the hug she received from the Crown Prince, or the momentary disappointment for having forgotten His lantern. The biggest and most impacting memory of that night, was the discovery that she actually wanted to look after the white raiment the Crown Prince had given her!

Up to that point, it had been so torn and tattered, so stained and dirty, that she’d given up on pleasing the Crown Prince with her appearance ever again. But the Crown Prince had spent so much time painstakingly mending, washing, and repairing her robes, that suddenly, she found herself wanting to look after them herself!

This discovery had been so intense that when she fell on the path, she was beside herself at first thinking she’d just soiled these beautiful clothes! Such worry and concern had made the Crown Prince smile and almost chuckle to see her maturing in her outlook on life. He’d felt it prudent to remind her to remember Who she was preparing for, so that her focus on maintaining white robes did not steal her focus away from Himself and her future as His Bride.

She couldn’t help a sigh escaping her lips as she rested on a bench near the village now. The air was so crisp and clean, and the stars danced with such beauty against a vast black backdrop. She could have sat there all night, but she knew the dark ones roamed the streets and she had to get home. Reluctantly, she rose to finish the trip.

A glance down at her robes revealed them to be almost glowing in the dark with a new whiteness she hadn’t seen before. Her gaze was drawn to the lantern and then it hit her. . . This was no ordinary lantern, but the Crown Prince Himself guiding her home. . .

His light illuminating her path one step at a time, and casting a glow over her form that said she had been with the Prince Himself!

Yes. . . she was marked. . . Everyone knew her as the one the Prince loved. . . It was now up to her to prepare for the day when He’d come for her, His wedding entourage in tow. . . Never again would she embark on long errands without the Lantern of His love.

Something caught the corner of her eye as she rounded the corner to her home. Glancing that direction revealed a small tear in her sleeve that she hadn’t seen before. Just then, Teacher came out of the house and beckoned her inside quickly. No sooner was the door closed than several thuds were heard on the other side. Maria now knew where that tear had come from. The dark ones were shooting arrows and one had caught her robe.

“I almost got home in time! But alas, I couldn’t avoid the arrows. . . I’m so sorry Teacher. . . ”

Teacher set about mending the tear. “Eh, I’m just glad you remembered the Crown Prince’s Lantern this time! Remember young lady that I am here to help you. You can’t protect yourself from the dark ones alone. You need me.”

Maria bowed her head. “Yes Teacher. Thank you for mending my robe again. Thank you for caring, for being here every time I need you. I honestly don’t know how I’d do it without you. The Crown Prince’s list of preparations for the wedding are so deep and so involved. . . I have despaired of ever getting them right except that you are here to teach and to guide me. You are most kind, Teacher.”

Teacher put away his sewing kit, raised Maria to her feet from her place at the kitchen table, and bid her good night.

Later as Maria was making her nightly entry in her scroll, she looked up at the Lantern now sitting in a prominent spot on her table and smiled. Indeed the Crown Prince HAD provided everything she’d need in that little bag.

* * *

Giveaway link: https://www.freecrm.com/form.cfm?id=6004&vc=KIANMLSEAO

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