The Royal Waltz

Written January 18th 2009

A dusty rag was all I had to wear as I entered the royal court. I felt the stinging eyes of guest pierce me and whispers seemed to tingle as they reached my ears. I wanted to run and hide my face in any corner I could find, or just flee this place to never be seen again. Doubts that this was a mistake, and that I was silly to have accepted, filled my head. How could a king ever have invited me into his presence knowing how I would arrive? Was it a game? Did he want to poke fun at me and let all these people jest at me for entertainment? I felt as though I could barely make another step and desperately wanted to flee. What I would give to be dressed in a royal sateen with jewels as I walk through this majestic place. Feelings of despair and unworthiness filled my heart so full that I thought I might drown in my own feelings. As I began to search the crowd I noticed a movement,...it was him. Please, no. Why was he coming toward me? As the king stepped out
of the crowd, his gaze caught mine, and then he began to move toward me. He was dressed in the richest colors, and the jewels in his crown appeared like stars in the galaxy. I saw the corner of his mouth curve as though he was hiding a smile behind his lips and his eyes twinkled more with each step he took. When he took his last step, and finally stood before me, my head was filled with so many thoughts it felt as though the entire moment froze. I could only bow with so much humbleness and shame that it made me feel as though I was going to fall over at his feet. I couldn't even lift my eyes to his face. I felt a strong warm hand under my chin and he lifted my gaze to his. I knew I was in the presence of royalty, but this king was one that had compassion in his eyes and humbleness in his heart. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight", he said. I couldn't believe he would make such fun of me when it was obvious I was not dressed in the riches of those
around me.
Then I realized,...he was looking at something deeper than what everyone else saw in that moment. He was looking at my heart, clothed in his grace and forgiveness. He knew I had come to honor him, and that was enough to win his heart and affection. He held out his hand, and I knew this was an invitation to the most beautiful waltz ever. This was a royal king,... the king of my heart.