It finally came to my attention that I had TOTALLY forgotten to post the first and second place stories from my story contest, Once Upon a Time! I am so sorry! I am posting them both today however, and to start, this is our first place winning story! Author bio will be at the end. Congratulations, Chloe!! So without further ado, let me present, "Her Prince is a White Lamb"... Once upon a time...Gabriella had heard the words so many times: from her parents, the people in the village and from her own friends. They had experienced their own ‘once upon a time’ years ago…but still she waited for hers. With every passing day she wondered if maybe this would be the long awaited day when he would come riding in on his white horse and carry her away in his arms. And still another year would pass and she would go on hoping. With a deep sigh that came from her innermost soul she lifted the basket into her arms and began her steps back to her home, wishing her parents not to be worried at her late return. As Gabriella neared the small abode in which her family dwelt, she put on her brave face as to not show how she truly felt on the inside: disappointed, anxious and sad. And maybe a little hurt that no man had wanted her. Days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months once again…and still no prince charming came to carry her away. With each passing hour her heart became more hurt until she thought that maybe she couldn’t go on. She did her duties at home, went where commanded and came when bidden but none of it could hide what she felt on the inside of her soul. And then the day came. No, not the one that she had been looking for and awaiting: it was much grander than she ever could have imagined it would be. She had been instructed of her mother to go into the fields and gather some flowers to grace their place for the next few days. And she was doing as told when it happened. Gabriella had crunched down to better pick the flowers, feeling heavy and alone in her heart, when she looked up and saw someone approaching her. She saw it was a man, his steps coming in an even stride, eyes fixed directly on her. As though in slow motion she straitened herself, basket in her hands, a frown appearing on her face as she stood there; not seeming to be able to take her eyes off Him as he kept His on her. Who can this be? And why am I so drawn to Him? His steps brought Him to a stop in front of her and she realized that He wore a bright smile on His face. And His eyes were love, indeed. “Hello,” He spoke, the words sounding like music to her ears, His voice as though it were the sweetest of waters running, covered in love. Gabriella breathed in deeply as she offered Him a slight nod. “Hello, sir.” The smile on His face stayed fixed there. “I was wondering if you will allow me a few moments of your time to talk with you.” A frown then appeared on her face. “Talk, sir?” “Yes, Gabriella, I would like very much to talk with you if you would grant it to me.” And when He spoke her name it was with such tenderness and love. Gentleness, as though He longed to call her His. “Sir, do you know me?” He nodded. “I’ve known you since before you were born.” Her frown then deepened. His words were very strange, but for some reason they did not scare her or make her uneasy. They only made her want to hear Him say more. “How have you known me from before I was born?” He gently took another step forward as the sun seemed to shine down and light His face to greater brightness; only, she knew that the light was from His very self and not of anything else. “Because I am Jesus.” Hearing the Name caused her breath to catch in her throat. Jesus! The only response she could give at the moment was lifting her hand to her mouth, feeling her hold on the basket began to loosen. “Jesus,” came as a whisper from between her lips, her hand lowering from her face. “If you are truly Him, then why would You come to me? I am nothing but a commoner in the village.” Jesus reached forward and lifted one of the flowers from her basket, holding it gently in between his fingers, raising His eyes to hers. “You are right in thinking that I want to call you Mine, for I do. But, Gabriella,” He went on as He smiled at her. “You are not a commoner. I died so that you could be called the daughter of My Father. And a child of the Most High God is never a commoner.” Gabriella lowered her head, feeling sad that she had done something to cause Him to correct her. She had heard of Him and His Father and knew that they were very great indeed, but she had never thought much on them. He reached out His hand and laid it on her chin, lifting her head back up again. And she saw the love again, shining bright. “I know how you want so desperately to have a man in your life.” She widened her eyes in surprise, wondering at how He could have known that. “How do You know this thing of me?” “Remember, I have known you since before you were born. And since then I have seen your every move and heard your every word: known your every thought and heart’s desire.” With a sigh from her heart she nodded slowly, feeling the hurt that she had felt only a few minutes before returning to her. “Yes, I long for a man. I so want to be married, have a husband. All my friends already have one.” Jesus looked at her softly. “But that is not the most important thing, Gabriella.” She frowned. “It isn’t?” He shook His head. “No. There is something much greater than wanting a husband.” “What would that be?” “Giving your heart to me, child, is much more important.” Gabriella linked her hands together around the basket handle, her frowned face staring at Him deeply. “If you give your heart to me, than you will be in My Father’s family. Serving God is the greatest thing in the world. It would not come without hardships, for serving My Father will always be met with persecutions. But know that I will always be there with you, to help you and love you.” Gabriella felt tears stinging her eyes. “Love me?” Jesus nodded with another smile at her. “Gabriella, I want you to know how much My Father and I love you, for I am Love. We want you to be a part of our family. All you have to do is ask and I will enter into your heart.” She had waited so long to hear words of love from someone and now she was hearing them, in a much more amazing way than she ever could have thought or dreamed of. He said He would love me. Jesus held out to her the lovely flower which He held, His smile never leaving. She reached her hand out and took it gently in hers. “If you put your trust in me, Gabriella, I will bring the right man to you at the right time. You don’t have to worry about him coming, just know that when the time is right for you both that I will bring him into your life and you into his. What you can do is pray for him in the meantime.” What she was hearing was more beautiful than anything that she had heard before. All she had to do was give her heart to Him and trust Him. “And my heart will be safe?” He nodded. “Yes, if you keep your heart with me-there will be temptations and struggles-I will hold it and keep it safe.” Gabriella looked down at the flower in her hand, a tear running down her cheek. “I’ll think about it.” She turned to go when His hand reached out and touched her cheek softly. Through her blurred vision she looked back at Him. “I love you, Gabriella. But know that you are not guaranteed tomorrow or even the rest of this day. But I will be waiting with open arms for you if you come.” With a deep breath she turned and started slow steps back to the house, her eyes gazing down at the flower she still held. In her mind she could hear all the stories of her friends and their love. And then she remembered Jesus, His words of love, His eyes of love, inside knowing that He truly was love. There was no question in her mind of what she wanted in her life. Gabriella spun around, dropping the basket from her hands as she did, her steps quickening toward where Jesus still stood. “Jesus!” She called out quickly as she ran. Jesus moved toward her, His arms open wide and in an instant she was in His arms, her feet off the ground and Him holding her close. She was home, never to leave. Gabriella was never the same after that and nor was her family when she shared with them her newfound happiness. They, too, accepted Jesus, causing her to be even more joyful. And in the coming years Jesus’ words proved to be true that persecutions would come, for they did. But He was always there, never leaving her side. Yes, her prince had always been there for her. All she had to do was look up to see Him. And He was more perfect than any man that she had ever longed for. He didn’t ride a white horse for He is a white Lamb and she trusted Him with all that was within her. She was happy and complete in Him. Oh, what a ‘once upon a time’ she had had! And her Prince and she would indeed live Happily Ever After…. Chloe Hadassah is a eighteen year old farm girl who lives in the Bible-Belt with her nine brothers and sisters and parents! She enjoys blogging at heresclo.blogspot.com and YouTubes at: Becky Coleman's Badge. She will soon be publishing her first book titled The Light, and has a website for it at givegodtheglory.weebly.com She feels God has called her to sing for His glory and right now feels led to also act/produce movies in the future. Jesus means more to her then anything in the world ever could and she longs to live fully for Him!
9 Comments
Brianna
3/30/2017 07:27:01 pm
Great story, Chloe!
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Grace H.
3/31/2017 12:40:06 pm
Great story, Chloe! I loved it!
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Lizbeth E.
3/31/2017 05:04:01 pm
Are you a part of a writing group, Chloe?
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Olivia Bell (aka Livy)
4/1/2017 10:03:33 pm
This was one of the best stories I've ever read, Chloe!!! I loved it so much! You did a great job, you totally deserve 1st place!
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4/3/2017 01:38:38 pm
Aw, thank you so much! That was so sweet of you! I'm so glad you liked it!
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