A China Story--Prince Nick and His New Robe

The Story of Prince Nick and His New Robe:

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lrd GD is upon me, because the LRD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Isa 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LRD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our Gd; to comfort all who mourn;

Isa 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praize instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of r|ghteousness, the planting of the LRD, that he may be glorified.

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LRD; my soul shall exult in my Gd, for he has clothed me with the garments of s@lvation; he has covered me with the robe of r|ghteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isa 61:11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lrd GD will cause r|ghteousness and praize to sprout up before all the nations.

Once upon a time in a far, far away land sometimes called East Asia lived a boy who liked rock music. One day this boy (Nickel, but we'll call him Nick for short) came upon an American band called Testament. Upon inquiring about this name, the boy discovered a most wonderful book. He was fasicnated by it's two parts and all it's wonderful stories. Nick decided he would like to have this marvelously interesting treasure, so he began searching for somewhere to buy one. His seach ended to no avail, for he thought no where in this far, far away land sold these "American" books. Then one day, a beautiful princess named Desiree came to his classroom, radiating with the Light of the Author. The boy decided this was a perfect opportunity to ask a question about this book. So he asked the beautiful daughter of the King about this book that was made up of an "old" testament and a "new" testament. He wanted to know what it was, and where he could buy one, for he was very anxious to read it. After sharing with Princess Desiree about his search for this most magnificent book, Princess Desiree told him to look no farther, because her and her sister (Princess Brook) have an extra one that they could give him. So Princess Desiree went home and told Princess Brook about the young man who was interested in the Book of the Kingdom. Excitedly, the two daughters agreed that this boy must be given this Living Word. So the girls talked to their Father, The King, about Nick and asked Him to give them an opportunity to give the most wonderful book to the boy. A couple of weeks passed and still no opportunity. Then one night, Princess Desiree and Princess Brook were very tired. They decided not to have students over to their house that evening. They felt bad, but decided they needed the rest, so they cancelled English practice. Soon after, they received a knock on the door. At first, the were very reluctant to answer because their sign clearly stated that English practice was cancelled. But Princess Brook decided it would be best to tell them in person. As Princess Brook opened the door, she saw Nick standing there anxiously. Quickly she invited him in and told him that her and Princess Desiree had something to give him. Princess Desiree handed the boy a copy this most wonderful book. To Nick's surprise, it was not an "American" book at all, but it was printed in his own language. A huge smile came upon his face as he looked at his gift. Then he turned to Princess Brook and Princess Desiree and asked them how he could become a Prince of the King! The Daughters' eyes lit up as the excitedly told him that he could be a Prince right then. So the Princesses sat down with Nick and began asking him questions. To their surprise, Nick seemed already to be a Prince, he just didn't know it! As the new Prince described to Princess Desiree and Princess Brook his feelings and what he now believed, the Princesses explained to him what it mean to be a Prince and what it took to be a Prince. To the great pleasure and delight of the Princesses, the King had already been teaching Nick to be a Prince, he just needed assurance. After a little bit more conversation, Prince Nick needed to leave. So Princess Brook and Princess Desiree talked to the King with him. That night as Prince Nick left, he not only received the treasured book he was searching for but also the greatest gift of the King. He left looking like royalty with a "beautiful headress" instead of his "ashes", with the "oil of gladness" in exchange for his tears, a joy-filled "garment of praise" instead of a "faint spirit". He was clothed with the "garments of salvation"; covered "with the robe of righteousness." He was a Prince of the King, an "oak of righteousness" planted by the King so that "He may be glorfied." Prince Nick was a new creation brought to life by the Author and Creator, the Most High Gardener that plants, sows, and reaps and causes "righteousness and praise to sprout up before all nations." Princess Brook and Princess Desiree had no idea that cancelling English practice was an edict by the King that had been in the makings and only sent down by His perfect timing in order to coronate a new Prince into the King's ever-growing family! What a King'stale it was! By the way, not only did Prince Nick walk away with a gift, Princess Brook and Princess Desiree were also given such a wonderful gift by thier Father, the King. They were given the merciful blessing of watching the King drape the same "garments of salvation" that they wear over a new brother. The King's light radiated a little more brightly that night in the lives of three of His children somewhere in a land far, far away. And this is only the beginning...

May Nick go out with excitement and tell everyone he knows about this new life that he now lives.  Let us remember our own "garments of salvation" and "robes of rigteousness" and let us rejoice daily that we are covered by them because of His love. 

My question to you fellow Princes and Princesses is this:  What is the King'stale in your life?  What is the Author and Creator writing for you daily?  Are you a part of HIs story, or are you trying to write your own?

Well, that is all I have for now.  Today may you see a glimpse of the wonderful story He writes for you every day! 

Living joyfully ever after,
Brook

**This story is from my time in China.