~This snippet is taken from my book, Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul:
āWhat makes your beloved better than any other?
What is it about himā¦?ā ā Jerusalem Maiden, Brides-to-Be
āSong of Songs 5:9b TPT
Vaporous spicy aromas licked the air with heat. Warm ginger mingled with clove. Pine kissed ground coffee scents. Chai danced with vanilla. And nutmeg blended with buttery pear creating a bath of incense. A group of teenagers sat on a plush, ruby red sofa drinking piquant drinks from decorative mugs. They shared headphones and watched videos on their laptops, which were resting on their legs. An old couple sharing a booth, sat across from one another talking. The wife reached a pale, trembling hand over her husbandās tan, leathery one. His opaque eyes misted as he looked upon her, and I felt his ripe love for her like hot honey in my chest. Some young adults were seated around a wooden oval table doing homework. I guessed they were all a part of a study group. Still there were others scattered about. I passed by a small girl with pigtails happily eating a lemon tart dessert.
When Jesus walked in, I expected him to stand on a table and evangelize. Instead, he walked right up to the counter to greet a comely barista. Her thick, brown hair was weaved in the back and hung like glossy rope with tawny blonde highlights. She had clear green eyes like olive oil and lips the color of crushed raspberries.
āGood evening, sir. How may I help you?ā she asked perfunctorily.
She looked frazzled and her day must have been long, for although she looked at Jesus, she didnāt see him. He was just another customer. It was almost as if her pretty eyes were shuttered by the repetitive routine of work. She glanced at me and asked the same question before her eyes fell to the cash register, ready to proceed with her normal protocol.
I ordered an apple spice tea with sweet buttercream drizzle. āGood choice,ā she said without feeling.
Jesus remained silent for a few seconds. His eyes scanned her as she stared at the cash register waiting for him to order next. She glanced up at him when he said nothing.
āWhat would you recommend, Diane?ā he asked, with deeply compassionate eyes and a warm smile. I knew he asked that question only to rouse her.
Her eyes quickened slightly, and her shoulders perked up. āThat depends. How are you feeling?ā
Jesus answered with a bright smile, āIām feeling like I could use something with a kick of zest in it.ā
The corners of Dianeās lips slightly lifted at his charming and welcoming visage. āWe have pineapple tea with ginger root. That usually provides a nice kick.ā
āThat sounds good, but Iād like to hear other options.ā
Diane began to read off to Jesus a list of other teas and coffees that were energy boosters. She went through the entire list before he asked, āWhich ones are your favorites? For those nights where you need a booster?ā
Diane chortled softly. āIt would be the spiked cider or the whiskey Irish creamed coffee,ā she said with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. āBut if youāre looking for a nonalcoholic solution, Iād recommend the hot chocolate supreme. It has a few shots of caffeine.ā
By this time my tea was finished, and I picked up my order before finding a nearby table. I knew Jesus was ministering to Diane.
āWhat if I didnāt want anything with alcohol or caffeine in it?ā Jesus asked, his demeanor still warm.
āThen the pineapple ginger is your best bet, but you can choose from these other teas,ā she said fingering a few, her eyes fixed on the list. āLike I said it really just depends on how you feel.ā
āHow do you feel?ā Jesus asked her.
His question surprised her, and I noted a flicker of shock cross her face before she masked it with her customary employee visage.
āI feel like I could use a booster myself,ā she said politely.
āI know a booster that you canāt get in a tea or a coffee or anything material but it always works. And Iād like to give it to you if youāre willing.ā
Her eyebrows lifted. āIt always works?ā
Jesus gave a gentle laugh. āIt hasnāt failed yet. Millions of people whoāve had this would tell you so, from centuries ago to modern day, from all around the world to right in this city.ā
āHow much is it?ā
āItās completely free.ā
Dianeās eyebrows creased slightly, and she tilted her head trying to discern Jesus. Nothing but waves of love came off him. She glimpsed around. Everyone had been served, and her fellow co-worker had gone into the kitchen.
āWhat is it?ā she asked, partly suspicious.
āNot what, but who.ā
Misunderstanding his intent, Diane stated, āI have a boyfriend.ā
Jesus nodded. āI know you do, and Iām not coming onto you if thatās what youāre thinkingā¦at least not in that way.ā
Diane pressed her lips together. āThenā¦?ā
āItās Jesus.ā
Diane rolled her eyes. āPlease, sir, Iāve had enough of religious jargon. And Iām too old to believe or be humored by fairy tales.ā
āI would disagree,ā Jesus said kindly.
āWhat would you like to drink?ā Diane asked, cutting him off.
āHumor me for a moment, Diane.ā
Diane gave an audible sigh and then shrugged. She stared him up and down again before her demeanor softened. āOkay,ā she said cautiously.
āI donāt doubt that youāve had enough of religious jargon. Iāve had enough of it myself. But I do question whether or not youāre being truthful about fairy tales.ā
Diane arched an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms.
Jesus continued, āThink of it. Most movies are composed of fairy tales, even the action ones. Thereās some level of magic in themāof superhuman strength, of beauty, of endurance, of ideal romance, of triumph and adventure beyond common life. Most songs consist of a yearning for superhuman love. Many best-selling books are littered with these noble ideas that are often fleeting in human experience, yet they are an ever-constant source of ache and desire in the human heart.ā
Dianeās lips untightened and her arms slowly uncrossed.
Jesus expounded, āIf those arenāt fairy tales, then I donāt know what is. Every human heart longs to experience something more than the dreariness of life. Thatās why people stuff themselves with fancies, be it food, relationships, temporary thrills like theme parks, drugs, movies, vacations, promotions, possessions, whatever it be. The soul of man knows thereās something more that it was created for, and so most people numb this yearning by stuffing it with entertainment. The only problem is,ā he paused, and his eyes deepened; āIs that theyāre trying to fill an eternal ache with temporary things. Worldly things can never mask heavenly desire. Many have tried, and all of them have failed. Do you not find yourself entertained by these things, Diane?ā
When Diane didnāt answer, Jesus replied, āI know you do.ā His tone was thick with bowls of compassion that rose like sweet fragrance.
āWell, religious people entertain themselves with rules and criticizing others. At least āsecularā people seek happiness over hate,ā Diane retorted. Although her facial expression was defiant, her voice was strained, and I caught a glimpse of sorrow in her eyes before she drew it back.
Jesus reached out to Diane with such compassion that I felt a lump rise to my throat.
āReligious people do. Youāre right. And Iām sorry for everyone that has hurt you. Truly, I am. Many people are so busy making religion their god that they donāt allow God in their religion. Turns out religion is much more easily manageable than God. Those people you speak of are afraid. They may not even know it, but they are. Pride is a form of fear. They seek control, perfection, a way to escape chaos. They are desperate to measure up for fear of rejection, failure, exposure, whatever the fear is. They have so many layers of behavior modifications and thought processes piled on top of their fear that they canāt even detect it. They look to somehow redeem themselves. But there is only one Redeemer. There is only one love that casts out all fear and those who have that are not religious. Thatās what I want to offer you tonight.ā
Jesus paused and stared deeply into her eyes. āDiane, the happiness that people seek is Jesus. Eternal happiness can be found in nothing else.ā
Dianeās eyes watered and she closed them. Her breath shook a little as she tried to compose herself, āYou speak as if you know him. No Christian has ever spoken to me like that.ā
Jesus reached out and gently touched her arm. She collapsed into tears at his warm touch, and I knew she was feeling his love for the first time. It was as if the pores of her skin opened up to his liquid love. Diane covered her face with her hands and tried hard not to weep so loudly.
Customers noticed and passed curious glances. Some seemed concerned that whoever was touching her had somehow hurt her, but their thoughts quickly turned when he lifted his hand and caressed the side of her face. Diane grabbed and then pressed his hand against her cheek with hers. Her teeth clenched as she sobbed.
āDo you feel that?ā Jesus asked, his voice rough with emotion.
āItās like fire in my heart,ā she sobbed, choking on tears. Her skin became damp with sweat from crying so hard and from the heat of his love. Her smooth skin reddened until her nose was like plumb sauce. Her tears, snot, and saliva got on Jesusā hand, but it didnāt bother him. He was smiling. He was happy and content…
~To read the full story, click here.
For centuries, the female heart has burned with desire for the lasting pleasure of unchanging love. In the course of time, civilizations have risen and fallen, yet the longing for tangible intimacy has never faded. Millions of lyrics have been written to the passionate tune of this fluid yearning.
Unfortunately, few people find the lasting love theyāve longed for, even as children. Life, education, and societal pressures transform what was once a tangible hope into a mythical fairy tale. Industries have reaped unlimited monetary gain from the erosion of this hope. Billions of girls grow up to become women who have long since tossed their dreams of true love in the trash bin of cynicism. Countless others have buried their ache of unmet desire under the disappointment of failed relationships and hopelessness.
Despite most womenās best attempts, this starved craving remains alive, like a stimulating aroma. This ethereal hope goes back to the first relationship, in a place of being so āseenā and ālovingly knownā that āsheā was naked and unashamed.
This novella was not written to add salt to the gaping wound of unsatisfied need. It was written to satisfy the need completely. Let Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul introduce you to a lasting relationship with Transcendent Love, where reality becomes sweeter than your dreams.