STORY TIME!! “At the gate” (ch 3)

Once upon a time in the great (and of course far away) country of West lived a young knight. He married a lovely young maiden and God had blessed them with children. He was well known throughout the land as the “Sharpest Sword in the West” (episode 1). Aside from the little uneventful adventure when he heard the “Sounds of Battle Far Off” (episode 2), the knight went on with his life. Although the kingdom was at war, the knight lived in relative peace on an estate provided by the king; the king is merciful.

Whenever the knight had business at the royal courts, he made every effort to avoid seeing the king except for the times when he was duty bound to stand in his presence. At those times, he felt there was something missing in his life, that he aught to DO something, but he refused to meditate on those thoughts. He longed to hear the news and reports from the battle field that were presented to the king. The knight’s heart stirred in him as other brave warriors would recount the tales of courage and describe the difficulties of the battlefield – the war was very close.

Then, one day, while the knight was mending the fences on his land, his heart sank when he saw from afar a group of warriors riding fast toward him; their powerful war horses stirring up a great cloud of dust on the road. Without another glance, and knowing he did not have a moment to lose, he tossed the tools aside, and mounted his already excited horse. He galloped back to the house and with loud cries and shouts he sounded the alarm. The entire household was gripped with fear. With utmost haste, the knight helped his wife, son, daughter, and any servants who had not already run, climb down in the hiding place that was dug in the back of the orchard. Once they were safe, the knight grabbed his sword and ran to meet his foe by the gates of the courtyard.

He stopped at the gate and waited in ambush hidden from view. Standing there, in the silence, his excitement grew. His breathing began to quicken and chills ran down his back; he heard the sound of hoofs and armor clanking – initially far off, but now they were close. The knight raised his sword and got ready to strike. He was ready to fight, ready to defend, ready to die if necessary. He thought about his family, they were safe in the hiding place; he thought about the castle, was it under attack as well? Was it hopeless, maybe he should hide also? No, there is no time. He must stand and fight even if it meant death. It was certain death, for how can one knight stand against a group of warriors? The sounds of hoofs stopped and he heard them dismounting.

He gripped the sword tighter and lifted it with intent; he lowered his arm to strike but a commanding voice paralyzed him and he stood motionless. The powerful words gripped his pounding heart. A flood of emotions invaded his being. Part of him was dazed, confused-- how could this be? His eyes saw what his ears told him. The king of the land, his king, was standing at the gate, in the very doorstep of his house, asking to come in, asking the knight to dine with him that evening.

Imagine the knight’s surprise, relief, shock, and puzzlement! Sometime ago, the knight had refused the king’s request to ride out with his fellow knights and take back the land that was overrun by invaders. And now, the same king is honoring him with a visit? It seemed backwards! The knight could not comprehend why the king left his magnificent palace and took the time to travel down to his home. It did not seem proper! It just was not done. But his king had done it, and the knight was overjoyed at the visit.

At that very moment, the knight’s heart was transformed and with his entire being he made a new commitment to the king. But would the king accept him? The knight shuddered to think of it; perhaps the king would give him a second chance. With a heavy heart and a head filled with emotions the knight fell at the feet of the king and knelt on the hard ground. He was about to speak when the king took him by the shoulders and raised him up, looked deep into his eyes and his gaze seemed to split the knight’s marrow from his bones. The king smiled, and nodded with approval. In the simplest way the king asked “Are you prepared to serve me?” to which the knight was ready to answer “With all my heart, Lord”

That evening, the knight, his family, and all his servants dined with the king. It was a time of renewal and celebration; it was a time of commitment and planning. The kingdom is still at war.