I stood at the end of the walkway holding the letter with both hands. Ahead, was the path that lead straight up the stairs to the grand entrance to the beautiful castle. I looked down at the letter in my hands. I had re-folded it and gently re-tied The King’s signature scarlet thread to close it back up after I’d read it. It was a summons to come to the castle. I was not supposed to bring anything or change – just come as I am. As I stared at the letter, remembering it’s instructions, I became increasingly aware of how I looked. I felt loads of doubt. 

I can’t believe I’m here. At the castle. Dressed like this! I am wearing such filthy clothing, but this is all I have. I tried to clean myself up. There was no possible way that a poor filth like me was ever going to clean up well enough to enter the castle, much less to be presented before the royal family. I felt my cheeks turn red and my throat start to tighten. I took a deep breath and still looking at the letter, reminded myself that it was in fact addressed to me, my full name in fact. And it said quite clearly and directly that I was to come to the castle immediately, not wasting any time for self-presentation. So as I let out that deep breath, I took the first step forward, and then the next. Step after step, I didn’t take my eyes off of that letter… until I got to the steps. 

I allowed myself to look up… and up… and up! It was so much bigger that I realized living so far away. It was magnificent! All the gold adornment seemed to shine as if it contained the sun instead of reflecting it. I slowly took one step at a time and when I reached the door, paused once more to look back at the letter I had been holding. I was planning what I would say to the person who opened the door. I would show them the letter and explain that I had come immediately, without delay. I would explain that I didn’t have any other clothes to wear nor the means to purchase any and that I would be willing to wait outside so as not to get anything messed up or cause extra work for the staff. 

To my surprise the door opened before I could knock. The person on the other side looked down at me and his face instantly broke into a warm smile. I just stood there dumbfounded.

“How excited we are that you are here!”

How did he know who I was? I don’t know this person.

“The King has been waiting for your arrival, Your Highness.”

Wait. What did he just call me? I opened my mouth to correct him but he motioned me inside and told me to please proceed forward up the stairs just ahead. After walking through the doorway, I turned around to apologize for the way I looked and start my speech, but there was no one there! I looked around a few more minutes to see if somehow he was in some corner that I hadn’t been paying attention to, but no one at all was to be found. I waited for a moment, thinking he’d be back from wherever he went, but no one came. 

Still clutching my letter, I tucked my elbows in and walked forward slowly, constantly looking around to make sure I wasn’t somehow leaving grime in the gorgeous palace of The King just by walking through it. I was stunned at just how bright and beautiful everything was around me. It seemed like the hallway went on forever and I took notice of the details. The floor was a pristine white marble – not even my filthy shoes left marks or a trail of footprints. Tall windows that looked crystal lined the hallway and showed off the beautiful grounds outside. And the most exquisite tapestries hung adorning every wall high and low. Each one was unique and looked like they told a story. I wanted to stop to examine but I worried that at any moment someone would come through a door and rush me out of the place yelling at me how I shouldn’t have ever come in here. 

I turned a corner and finally saw the giant, ornate doors to the throne room. I stopped dead in my tracks. My throat started to tighten again and just as I was about to turn and run back, the doors opened and someone started walking toward me.

It was the Great Prince!

All the running I was about to do moments ago suddenly seemed impossible. My feet felt cemented to the floor and I thought for a moment that if I just stood extremely still, He wouldn’t notice me. But no luck. It was like He had known this entire time that I was walking up to that door. His eyes locked onto mine the moment the doors opened. He had already been making His way toward me. A gentle smile was on His face, but I knew I didn’t belong here. Everything about me screamed “Imposter!”.

I looked down quickly and dropped to the floor in reverence. It wasn’t a second before His robe was right there beneath my face bowed to the floor. But then, the unimaginable: He knelt down next to me and addressed me by name. I hadn’t given anyone my letter so how could any of these people have known my name?

Repeating my name again He said, “Lift your head. You are not in the wrong place. You belong here, with me. Today, I have made you part of my family.”

It was as if He already knew I had prepared a speech about my unworthiness because before I could utter a word, He continued, “Yes I know all about your history and how you got here today. In fact, I was the one who sent that letter. That is my own signature and the scarlet thread that accompanies all of my letters. I see it is still in your hand.” 

Not wanting to appear disrespectful, I lifted my head as instructed and fought back tears of awe and humble awareness that I hadn’t done anything to deserve any of what the Great Prince had just said to me.

“Your Highness, I don’t understand why I’m here. I am not born of royal blood. I have done nothing to deserve even being invited into your home, not to mention become part of your family. My whole life I have been the worst of the ones who live in the gutter. I have nothing to bring, nothing to give. Look at these filthy rags. I tried to clean myself up, but I have nothing good, and too many disgusting scars. This is the best I could do but it is not even close to enough for this beautiful palace or the honor of your presence. I don’t know why you summoned me here. I know about your greatness and kindness and I thought perhaps there was something you needed me to do, so I came to give myself to your service. But now I am hear you say that you have made me part of your family? How can this even be?”

My eyes welled with tears that I could no longer hold back. I was certain that there was not enough mercy in the world to compel the Great King to allow this. I knew full well that a filth like me was not allowed even to be in His presence, forget about being an adopted son or daughter!

The Great Prince stood and held out His hand to help me off the ground. I timidly took hold of it and He gently lifted me to my feet. His eyes spoke gentleness without a single word coming from His mouth. Placing His hands reassuringly on my shoulders He said, “I have made all the arrangements, there is nothing more you have to do. It is because of His grace that I am able to make you part of this family. It is finished. The Father is waiting to welcome you home.” 

We turned toward the massive throne room doors, and holding tightly to the Great Prince’s hand as though I’d fall down without it. He led me in to see the Great King. 

I was barely two steps across the threshold when He saw me. I froze. I still wasn’t sure how all of this came to be! I turned to the Great Prince to ask if He was sure it was ok to be here in all my filth. It was right at that moment that I noticed, I wasn’t dressed in rags anymore. There was no speck of dirt anywhere on my clothes or body. Even more impossible: all my ugly scars were now healed! I was … glowing! The Great Prince was fully smiling and raised his hand to direct my attention when I saw the Great King break into a run right for me! I took a step back, for a moment fearing His wrath. But the Great Prince held me firmly and told me not to fear. 

Suddenly here He is and here am I. Without even a second to think about it, He threw His arms around me, giving me the greatest hug I never had. I wasn’t sure how or why but I knew that this was right where I was supposed to be. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew now for certain that the Great King was my Father and fully accepted me as His child. I held on to that hug for what seemed like an eternity, and He didn’t let me go. Looking into the eyes of the Great Prince I still didn’t understand how He did it, but because of Him I was finally where I belong: in The Father’s arms.