Friday, January 15, 2016
ARCTIC HEARTS
LINDA KNOX RUBENACK ©1995
Saturday, August 29, 2015
The Princess's Garden
One day the Princess decided to walk in the garden. This particular garden was given to her by the King on the day he brought her into his kingdom, adopted her and made her a princess.
All the Princes and Princesses of the Kingdom had one. These gardens were a very special place. The King went there to meet with his children and spend time with them. This gave them a chance to know Him better. The King knew each of his children very well, much better than they knew themselves. He came to the garden not only for himself but for them also. He enjoyed this special contact with them immensely, for there was no other way for them to get to know Him as intimately and He wanted them to know Him. While true, they could learn about Him through reading the many love letters he had written them and bound into a book for them to keep. Also true these letters revealed many things about Him and how he loved them. However to get to really KNOW Him it took spending time with Him in intimate conversation, one on one. He longed for these times with them.
Unfortunately his children often busied themselves with other things and didn't come to the garden to meet with Him as often as He would have liked them to come. This saddened Him greatly because He provided all they needed including the extra time for these most important meetings, but they just didn't understand that they needed to be close to Him for their well being.
The Princess walked into her garden and found it was an awful mess, she had neglected time with her Father the King so the garden had fallen into disarray. This was because the gardens reflected the hearts of their owners. Weeds had overgrown so that it was difficult to see the blossoms of joy and peace that the King had planted there for them to enjoy together. About that time the King walked in and the Princess cried out, "O, Lord please don't come in here, its an awful mess and I'm ashamed to let you see that I let this once beautiful garden you gave to me get into such chaos.
Please let me clean it up first." "My Precious Child", the King replied "don't you know by now that I am fully aware of the condition of all the gardens of my children. You can't clean it up alone. It's impossible to restore it without my help, because you could rip up all the love and joy planted here when you try to pull out the deeply entrenched weeds. Plus the weeds will just grow back if I am not involved in making sure every root is removed. I've been waiting for you to ask me. It is my joy to help you make this a pleasant place for us to meet. Just point out those weeds that are bothering you, I will help you see the weeds that are bothering me and together we restore the beauty and peace of our garden. Always remember that every time you join me here, our love causes the weeds to die and the blossoms of joy and peace to bloom more abundantly. I miss you so much when you don't come. Our times together here are so precious to me. Please come and see me every day, more if you like and when you do I will not only keep this garden of ours blooming. I will give you bouquets of joy and peace to carry around to bless others with."
So the Princess did as the King asked of her and the garden blossomed into such a beautiful place she never wanted to leave, but that's another story!
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS THIS: No matter what shape your "garden" is in, the King is waiting to meet you there and make it beautiful again!
Linda Knox Rubenack
© 1990
Thursday, December 11, 2014
A Christmas Gift for the Princess
A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR THE PRINCESS The Princess was so excited she could hardly stand still. Christmas was only a few weeks away. Ever since she was a little girl she loved Christmas. It was such a happy time with excitement in the air and carols playing. Decorations with colored and white lights, packages with red and green ribbons. The flashing white lights looked like heavenly stars dancing on the houses and in the trees all over the Kingdom. She loved the shopping, decorating and eating the special foods saved for this time of year. Most of all she loved hearing the Christmas story about how the Prince of Peace came as a baby to save the world from a fate worse than death and from death itself. One day she was thinking about what it must have been like to be there at the stable on the day the Prince was born. The King knowing the thoughts of all His children said "Daughter, how would you like a very special Christmas present"? "Oh! Father, you know how I love presents, What is it? Please don't make me wait until Christmas morning. You know how hard it is for me to wait." The King chuckled," Yes I know. No I won't make you wait for this one. How would you like to travel back to the time of my Son's birth and experience what it was like then"? The Princess couldn't contain her excitement. This was great, something she would have never thought of asking for. "Yes, oh yes. When can I go"? "Anytime you want". He said. "Just say the word." Now, now, now" she said, "but wait, I must get ready first. What will I wear, how will I get along, I don't speak the language so how will I be understood?" "Don't worry", He said, "I have taken care of that. You will look and talk just like everyone else. So just close your eyes, take a deep breath, relax and I will do the rest". She closed her eyes and took a deep breath but found it very difficult to relax, she was so excited. In the twinkling of an eye she was there. It was late in the evening and the hustle and bustle of Bethlehem had settled down to a dull roar. She heard a woman say, "I'm sorry but there is no more room here." A man then asked, "What can we do? My wife is due to have her baby and all the inns are full, we must get out of the weather and have a little privacy for the birth is imminent." The woman answered "I'm so very sorry but there just isn't any room, every corner of the inn is filled. Wait, I think perhaps you can stay in the stable, it is smelly because of the animals but we just put in fresh clean straw and it's warm and out of the weather, just don't let anyone know its there and you will have plenty of privacy for the blessed event." The Princess knew right away what was going on. She noticed the young woman on the donkey and realized that this was her Lord's mother. She followed behind them not wanting to lose them in the crowd. When they got to the small cave where the animals were boarded she stayed outside and out of sight, not wanting to intrude. She stood there quietly in awe that she was about to witness one of the most important events in the history of the world. Not long after, she heard the young woman cry out and soon after that she heard a baby's cry. He was born, the tiny baby who would be the savior of the world, her Savior. Silently she thanked the King for this wonderful gift, not only this trip but the gift of His Son. She was trying to decide whether to go in now or wait awhile, when she saw the shepherds who had witnessed the royal birth announcement in the sky come to see Him. Songs and Praises of angels were heard. The star, the brightest and most magnificent she had ever seen hung above. What a birth announcement, truly fit for the Prince of Peace who would become the King of Kings. She knew in time the star would guide the richly dressed wisemen to pay their respects too. She could stand it no longer so she went in. There she was, the young mother, barely in her teens, smiling sleepily, holding her first born son. It was exhausting work having a baby but the mother looked refreshed as if her joy overwhelmed the fatigue she must have felt. The baby sleeping so peacefully looked very fragile, so tiny, too tiny to have a future such as His. The Princess spoke to the mother, "May I hold Him"? His mother smiled and nodded yes. Taking the baby gently in her arms the Princess was overwhelmed with all that was happening. The little Prince stirred and yawned and then snuggled close to her, unconcerned that He was being held by a stranger. Wonderment filled her as she held Him, here in her arms was the one who would save the world from their sins. She brought all her senses into play, she didn't want to miss one single moment of this tremendous experience. She held Him close to her cheek and felt His silky baby fuzz against her face, kissing His forehead she breathed in the sweetness of his baby skin. He awoke and looked intently into her eyes and she listened to His soft baby coos and wondered if He was trying to tell her He loved her. Knowing what was to come for Him she was unlike those now around her. They were caught up in viewing this miracle child, the one they now called "king". They didn't know what it would cost Him to be their king. His path would be far from easy or royal. As a child He would endure rumors about His parentage and be teased for being "different". That was not all he would have to endure, after all the Prince of Darkness knew that this babe would be his downfall. It would be this evil beings sole purpose to stop the baby's mission. As the Princess stood holding this precious bundle, the joy of the moment could not stop tears from rolling down her cheeks. The young mother noticing this looked a little puzzled and concerned. So the Princess not wanting to cause the mother distress, handed the baby back and simply said, "He is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen, you are truly the most blessed woman who ever lived". The mother looking a little relieved said, "Thank You and the Lord bless you too". In the breath of a moment the Princess was standing before the King again. He smiled knowingly and asked, "How was your trip?" The Princess full of gratitude said, "Oh Father, Thank you, thank you, thank you, I shall never forget the joy of holding your Son. This present is only second to the gift of life you gave me so many years ago. The King just said to tell others of the gift of life made possible by the gift of His Son. Moral: There is only one gift that keeps on giving and His name is Jesus. Accept Him and live forever. Linda Knox Rubenack ©1993
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dove vs. Light Bulb
I was sitting in my journaling place enjoying quietly writing in my journal when I heard wings flapping and a distressed sound of a bird. I figured it was just our neighbor's cat doing her cat thing - chasing birds so I ignored it. Again I heard these sounds and thought that there was more than one bird for her to chase. The sound increased and was so pitiful I peeked out the window. My neighbor had one of those energy saving twisty bulbs outside his back door. Hung from the bulb was a small dove. Trapped by its foot. Dangling, twisting and in danger of breaking the foot. It must have tried to land on the bulb and it's foot slipped between one of the twists and was lodged there. It was a sad sight. I ran and got my husband since he is taller than I am. He got his work gloves knowing an injured bird might not take kindly to his intrusion and gently enclosed the bird in his hands. Surprisingly the bird quieted down and let him work. It was tricky to dislodge the bird without causing any more damage to it's foot. He spoke gently to it while working, assuring the bird it would be alright. After removing the bird from its prison he held it gently til it relaxed and then let it go. It flew off to parts unknown faster than I've seen any bird fly. I am sure if I thought hard enough and prayerfully enough I could come up with a spiritual application to this scenario but I'll save that for another post. All I can say now is please don't use these energy saving bulbs outside without some kind of covering.
Just a few moments ago I heard a dove cooing outside my window. A thank you maybe?
Monday, March 23, 2009
FEAR AND FAITH
FEAR IS LIKE A WILD ANIMAL,
STALKING ME,
THE ROARING LION,
THE WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING.
FAITH IS LIKE A GENTLE LAMB,
WOOING ME,
THE LAMB WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD,
THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
I MUST CHOOSE----
WILL I TRY TO FIGHT THE BEAST ALONE?
OR
SEEK THE SHELTER THE GOOD SHEPHERD OFFERS?
I KNOW THE SENSIBLE THING,
THE SMART THING.
SO WHY DO I CHOOSE THE FOOLISH THING
AND
LET THE WILD ANIMAL TERRORIZE ME?
IS IT BECAUSE FEAR SCREAMS
AND FAITH GENTLY WHISPERS?
IS IT BECAUSE FEAR COMES ON SUDDENLY
AND
FAITH IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME TO GRASP,
ALWAYS THERE TO TAME THE WILD BEAST?
OH LORD, FILL ME WITH FAITH!
FEAR AND FAITH CANNOT LIVE TOGETHER,
SO I MUST HOLD FAITH CLOSE,
FOR FEAR FLEES FROM WHERE FAITH RESIDES.
© 1987 by
Linda Knox Rubenack
The Journey
For Daddy on his homegoing May 29,1996
Tiny Soul
created by divine appointment
Moves into the new abode
provided by divine accomplishment
Nestling in--looking to
the womb as HOME
Growing soul
sustained by divine endowment
now thrust into a harsh arena
grows to fill the appointed abode
Settling in--looking to
this earth as HOME
Yearning soul
wooed by divine endearment
knowing something is missing
seeks to satisfied the hungry abode
groping around looking for
a fulfilling - HOME
Maturing soul
in need of divine involvement
reaches out of the lonely abode
encouraged by divine enticement
stretching forth
looking for a permanent - HOME
Satisfied soul
discovers divine appointment
outgrows the current abode
seeking always divine attainment
stretches upward
to the Creator- true HOME
Longing drives the soul upward
Struggling against an abode now old
reaching up, sometimes in pain
Creator taking pity, sees the desire within,
releases the soul and says
COME HOME.
Linda Knox Rubenack © June 15 1996
