Once upon a time there lived a very handsome King. He was so kind. He was caring and giving. In fact, he gave everything to his subjects. He cared for them night and day.
One day he set about to look for a bride as the hour had come for his betrothal. He wanted someone with a loving heart. He wanted someone who was kind to their fellow man, and most of all someone who was not self seeking.
He looked and looked and looked. Some had beautiful outside appearances, but when he looked closer their hearts were as cold as frozen stones. Others seem to have no heart at all. He began to think that his search was in vain. “No bride for me. I have waited for so very long and still there is no one.”
Just as he was ready to give up, along came a person everyone called “Scarecrow.” Her outward appearance was fine. Her heart was so precious. She had leaned upon God all her life. Through prayer and reading of His word she had become beautiful inside. She was scorned for her walk with God. Everyone yelled. “Scarecrow, Scarecrow, how different you are.” They would yell at her. “You are a foolish woman, eat, drink, and be merry for your days are numbered. Have some fun, don’t listen to that God of yours, he is there and you are here.” This caused a deep, deep distress in the scarecrow-like woman’s heart. She wept and wept and prayed that God would cause these people to come to an understanding of Him.
The scarecrow-like woman stood before the King. She was at awe with his total character. She knew He was like his Father as she knew His Father for many years. The King then asked the Scarecrow to be his heavenly bride. She beamed. With the King’s touch, she was transformed into the most beautiful of brides. She was arrayed in white linen and crowned with gold. She was far more beautiful than anything anyone had ever seen.
With the vows came the biggest parade of all. Banner of every hue waved as the bride made her way to meet up with her King. Angels blocked the outer perimeters of the parade route. The route was blocked off by angels who had the list of invited guests. Those who had made fun of her were now trying to get into the inner courts, but it was too late. The celebration had begun and only the invited guest could attend.
Rena K. Oynes © 1999
thedailylily.com 
This story is a good reminder that God sees much deeper than surface appearance…He sees who we really are. “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7 NIV
And thinking more on Rena’s story, it is not that the Lord does not like beautiful outward appearances, clothes, etc, but He is concerned with our inner beauty, motives and prioriites, for that is really where true beauty comes from. It reminds me of this scripture from I Peter 3-5: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.”
Rena, your allegorical scenario is so indicative of what Jesus did for us and in the future, also. In the book of Ezekiel there is a passage that makes me weep with joy because it speaks of how God has rescued us from the ugliness of sin and through a series of beauty treatments has fashioned us into a glorious church without spot or wrinkle for which He is coming to take to Himself for a bride. In Ezekiel 16, the Lord God narrates to Ezekiel how “He found us in a field of blood, not washed but loathsome and abhorrent. And He said to us, ‘LIVE! ‘ And as you grew to maidenhood, I the Lord, covered you with My skirts, (glory) and I washed you with Water and anointed you with oil. And I clothed you with embroidered cloth, with fine linen and silk and with ornaments and bracelets and put a gold chain around your neck. And then I put a nose ring and earrings upon you and a GOLD CROWN upon your head! Thus you were decked in gold and silver and your raiment was of fine linen, silk and embroidery. You ate fine flour and honey and oil. You were exceedingly beautiful and you prospered into royal estate. And your renown went forth among the nations for your beauty, as it was perfect THROUGH MY MAJESTY and SPLENDOR which I had put upon you, says the Lord God.”
Your story reminds me of these Scriptures in Ezekiel and how God knows
how to make us beautiful for Himself. Oh that we would give honor and glory, continuously to the Lord God for His generosity, compassion and mercy. That we would remain in the beauty of holiness that He has bestowed on us so that we can go into the King’s Palace all glorious within.
Hope we get some children to read Rena’s three stories and get some feedback. Would really be helpful to have the un-edited comments from the children. Lots of children are out of school this week and a good time for them to read a story and comment.
I love this story. This is an excellent example of how God truly know’s our heart. I love the character “Scarecrow” She was obedient. She didn’t follow the crowd. Because of her strength and obedience she became a beautiful bride. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story on strength and obedience.
from an editor’s perspective, there is ONE misspelled word in the second paragraph; kid/kind
Rena, I changed kid to kind for you as your anonymous comment suggested. If you do not want this change let me know.
Thanks Sara for making the change – perfect.