This
wonderful story was told to me by my dear friend Laura. This true tale is as
old as time and unique to each of us, come and visit with me and watch as the
story unfolds.
Recently
married in 1986 Laura and her husband lived
in Dublin Ireland. One of Laura’s new Spanish friends was invited to a banquet
with the King of Spain, Juan Carlos De Bourbon. Together they went to the
embassy for the needed security clearance. With passport in hand, Laura knew
that she would be invited too, “after all Mexico and Spain are so close that
certainly they could not have a banquet without me?” Laura would soon learn how
wrong her assumption was.
Laura
and her friend arrived at the office where fingerprints were being taken. Laura
explained that she was Mexican and wanted to see the King. The lady at the desk
was not impressed and told Laura to get out of the office. Not only
was she told to leave the office, she
was told to wait outside on the steps leading to the gardens. Laura was
heartbroken, turning to leave she thought to herself “How could this be, don’t
you see, it is me?” lonely and rejected out the door she went.
Laura
took the dismissal and felt the full wave of feelings of past
rejection. Through her tears she saw at a distance a man walking towards
her and stopped right in front on the steps where she sat. He smiled at her and she
smiled back. He said good morning and she politely answered back. He started a
conversation and she noticed his kind smile and as he spoke, she felt better.
He asked, “Are you here to give your information for the security
clearance?” Before she knew it she poured out all that had happened and her
desire to see the King. “Now the only way I will get a chance to see the King
is if I had the power to become very small to fit inside your shirt pocket,” Laura had said. He smiled and
extended his arm to her, “get up,
come my child follow me!”
He
opened the door to let her in and they proceeded down the hall. In unison she
heard every single person working saying,”Good morning Mr. Ambassador."
What a surprise, Laura’s new friend is the Ambassador of Spain to Ireland!
The
Ambassador led Laura into the office where she was kicked out and told the
clerk: “Laura is my very special friend; she is coming to the banquet
representing her nation. I need the Embassy's carrier to deliver to her address
along with the invitation and protocol. I need her security clearance and her
name tagged as special guest so that I am notified of her arrival to the
banquet. I personally will introduce her to the King.” Silence and grace fell
in that office!
When
Laura arrived home, she found the enveloped sealed with her name as promised.
Laura was so excited she was going to the banquet and had the invitation to
prove it! At once Laura began to practice her bows to anyone who couldn’t get
away. She rehearsed the list of tips of what to do and the don'ts while in the
presence of the King.
The
day came and sweet Cinderella was on her way to meet the King. Dressed in a
grand gown filled with excitement, Cinderella was ready. Laura arrived at
the security door for scanning. A member of the Marine Forces of Spain took
Laura to the Ambassador. Laura’s new sweet friend smiled at her and motioned to
get closer. With great reverence, Laura was introduced to the King. Laura ate,
danced, and laughed all in the presence of the King. All the while, Laura’s new
friend the Ambassador was there smiling and enjoying her happiness. This
was definitely Laura’s day and she took it all in with great joy and gratitude
in her heart.
Laura
says God allowed her to have this experience because many years later in a
place of great brokenness in her life she met The Ambassador, not from Spain,
but from heaven. A sweet friend, sent by God, told her “Heaven is not impressed
with our credentials the same way people of this world are easily impressed. We
find ourselves outside, outcast and broken and it is here where the Ambassador
comes – the Messiah who is the Ambassador of all. Right there in the place of
brokenness, He smiles at us, talks to us and extends his hand...come my child
follow me.”
After
hearing this story I am reminded that The Messiah, Jesus, is the one who
invites us to the banquet of the King. Through Him alone do we become part of
this heavenly celebration! He invites us to be part of this banquet and
introduces us to the King who is
His Father and ours if we accept His invitation. He marks us as His, and He
usher us into the presence of the King.
Are
you part of the banquet with the King? If not, ask the Ambassador, Jesus who is
waiting to extend His arm to you. Ask Him to put you inside His pocket and take
you home!
