Book Excerpt: Becoming the Bride of Christ by Marilynn Dawson

This is a guest blog post by Marilynn Dawson featuring chapter two from Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey, Volume one.

In a Land, Far, Far away… But Closer Than Any of Us Realize…the Following Story Began…

Everywhere you looked across the expansive room that served as meeting hall, banquet room, and court for the kindest King the realm had ever known, groups of people milled about, some in heated debates, others sharing animatedly, still other groups involved in signatory ceremony over trade of land or goods. Overlooking the buzz of activity from his seat at the far end of the room was the Great King Himself. He’d ruled this land for many years and now his Son, the Crown Prince, joined him at his side.

Together they scanned the crowds below. Most of the people within the court wore white in an amazing array of shapes and sizes. But occasionally an individual dressed in black could be seen weaving among the people. It puzzled some, why the Great and Kind King would allow these black-clad men into the palace, let alone the very seat of business on the floor of the court. But no one questioned Him.

Suddenly one of the men in black caught the gaze of the Crown Prince and His countenance grew pensive. The Crown Prince watched as this black-clad man quickened his pace through the throngs, weaving his way until he joined a group of similarly dressed men in a shadowy corner of the room. Agitated conversation ensued followed by the group quickly exiting the great hall.

Immediately the Crown Prince called for guards to follow them and report back! At the age of 30, the Crown Prince had never left the walls of the palace for much more than the occasional trip through the town market place, and His annual appearance at the Parade of the Realm. But He was starting to hear rumours of dissent among the peasants outside the Capital City, rumours of fear-mongering between the black guard and the farmers. He’d noticed more of them showing up in the court of late, and now he had to find out why!

Knowing His Son’s thoughts, the Great King grabbed the Son’s hand and beckoned Him to sit down again. “Son”, He said quietly, “I fear that if you go after them that they will kill you and seek to take over the Kingdom.”The Son was about to protest, but the Great King continued. “There is but one way to purge the Realm of the black guard, and that is for them, and all they have won to their side, to die!”

At that, the Crown Prince rose up and hurried from the great hall! He called for the stable boy to ready His horse as he ran to the cloak room to change. He emerged just as a black guard walked past. Mistaking the Crown Prince for a peasant, the black guard sought to persuade the Son to join them in taking over the Realm, that they’d already converted vast areas of the countryside and now all they needed was to win the Capital City to dethrone the King.

The Crown Prince listened with intense interest, but held His peace. When the black guard realized he would get no response from this man, he went on his way. Once the black guard was out of sight, the Prince dashed to the royal stable and greeted his personal steed. Swift Wind nickered in return nuzzling the Crown Prince as He inspected the saddle and reigns. Satisfied that Swift Wind had been properly groomed and tacked up, the Crown Prince swung up into the saddle and rode out to the countryside.

The guards He sent to chase after the black-clad group came riding up and the Crown Prince greeted them. “Sir, “one palace guard began, “the hillsides are covered in black. If something isn’t done and done soon, the Great King will lose all that he has worked so hard for among His people. The land must be purged or there will be nothing left!” Just then, another horse rode up. Everyone gasped as they realized who it was without body guards, soldiers, or even His own private entourage. The men backed up their horses to make room as the Great King Himself rode into their midst.

“Father, what are you going to do?” The Crown Prince asked.

“My Son. . . ” The Great King responded as He gazed around the hills and meadows, “It is time. . . There is only one way to purge the land of this darkness. Every person who has chosen the way of black instead of white, must die.”

“But Father, surely there must be another way. Let me go to these people, to our people, and show them once again how they may live white lives pleasing in your sight. Let me win them back. I love them Father. If you kill every black-clad peasant, who will be left?”

The Great King’s face furrowed as He stroked His flowing white beard. “Son, they will kill you. They do not know you the way the city folk do. They will beat you and strip you and hang you up to die like a petty criminal.”

“Let me go Father! And should they kill me, may it be in your sight as if every black-clad man, woman, and child of the Realm had died with me. Let them find life in my death.”

The Great King’s questioning eyes rose and rested on the Crown Prince’s face. “Are you willing to do this thing? Are you willing to give your life to spare the lives of every living soul across the Realm?”

The Crown Prince nodded. “Yes Father, I am willing.”

The Great King turned His horse about to return in the direction from which He’d come. “Then know this my Son. . . After you have paid the price in full, You will be welcome at my side once more. But be aware, the moment they hang you above the earth, I must turn my back. It will be too much for me to look upon my own Son bearing the insult, the rebellion, and the colour of all that is evil.”

The Crown Prince’s visage turned grey as He nodded in affirmation. “Yes Father, I understand. Now let me go. . . ”

The Great King rode to His Son’s side and embraced him before riding back to the Palace at full speed. The guards who had just witnessed this incredible scene offered to go with the Prince, to protect Him from dying sooner than He otherwise might. But the Crown Prince would have none of it and rode off alone.

Indeed it was as He’d been told. Not merely were the peasant folk dressed in black, but a grey pall had settled over every farm and homestead where black clothing hung on clothes lines and where black figures moved about like so many shadowy ghosts over the ground.

To get your own copy of this book go here: Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey (Volume 1)

Author Giveaway Link: https://www.freecrm.com/form.cfm?id=6004&vc=KIANMLSEAO

AUTHOR BIO: Marilynn Dawson

Marilynn grew up in a solid Christian home, coming to Christ at the age of 7. She has been actively involved in Church life since age 10, including activities such as joining her Mom and sister in singing special numbers, choir, teaching Sunday School, leading Sunday School open session, planning Sunday School lessons, and more. Marilynn attended both public and private schools growing up. She attended North Island Community College on Vancouver Island and Trend College in Kelowna, obtaining certificates in receptionist work and Comptia A+ computer repair.

Throughout her life, Marilynn has written poetry and published a few of them in the American Poetry Anthology(two issues). She currently does freelance work for a technical blog in Alberta. She’s also written numerous unpublished articles on end-time eschatology and the news, written unpublished short stories, word studies and more.

Marilynn lives with her two teenagers, cat and gerbils, in Kelowna BC Canada. Her day job sees her fix computers, program cash registers, and engage in multimedia for her church. In the evenings and on weekends she’s a soundtech helping with various events through the year from funerals to workshops to concerts and weddings. Marilynn sings in the choir, holding down the tenor section, and sang on her church’s praise teams for several years as an alto or tenor substitute.

Marilynn can be contacted via her author page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Marilynn.Dawson.Author or by email: author@fa-ct.com