Relationships are hard, aren’t they?

There are so many things that test you and your love for the people in your life. It is hard to love when you feel you cannot trust. And I believe one of the devil’s favorite ways to destroy is by deceiving you into believing lies about the people—or the God—you love so much.

“But what about that horrible thing that happened the other day? Why did your kind, loving God let that happen? Are you sure He has good plans for you? And what about the way that person treated you or what they said? You know they did that on purpose.”

Do these lies sound unfamiliar? There are so many more.

I would like to do something a little different this morning. One of the ways I put my relationship with God into perspective is by creating stories. One story in particular is my favorite for helping me process my thoughts and feelings about where I’m at with God. It is a two-part book series I started called For the Love of a Traitor and Dear Traitor, Sincerely Yours.

Let me paint a picture for you really quickly so you can be on the same page as me. The setting is a medieval kingdom on the brink of war. Accidents have happened, and trust between kingdoms is beginning to crack. But not only that—trust in the royal family is faltering as well. Traitors are being revealed. Innocent people are being accused. Deception is beginning to tear the kingdom apart from the inside out. Who is trustworthy, and who is the real traitor?

So why, you might ask, is this the story I see myself in? Because a girl named Abigail is falling in love with the prince, Edmond. She is a commoner of no importance, yet the prince sees her in a way no one ever has. It is in their relationship that I see myself and God—God, the One in high authority who loves someone enough to make them His bride, even when I was the one who nailed Him to a cross.

Abigail stood on the balcony overlooking the palace garden. Dusk was beginning to clothe the sky with darkness, and soft lantern light surrounded the balcony and garden. It was a welcome relief to her exhausted eyes.

She thought over all she had discovered in the chronicles during the past weeks of searching for answers about the royal family. It was all so confusing, mixed with the rumors she kept hearing from the people. She had had a few discussions—well, arguments, really—with Edmond. Nothing added up.

Some people said the royal family should never have been on the throne. Their ancestors had stolen this kingdom. It was not in her lifetime or her father’s, but the elderly in the city told tales of the invasion. She had heard some of those tales growing up, but she had never cared or believed them fully. They were just legends. There couldn’t be any truth to them. And why would it matter now anyway? Everyone was happy and loved their King and Queen… didn’t they?

But there seemed to be a sifting going on—a search for truth since the accident happened. And the people she had met in the city now looked to her to find it. She was the one on the inside, after all. Edmond and King Phillip only seemed to have the best interest of the kingdom in mind. Had they deceived everyone?

Even though the story of their royal family was starting to fall into place, it still didn’t seem to match King Phillip and Prince Edmond. But then again… had King Phillip actually meant to start a war with their allies? He seemed so distraught over the matter. But was he just acting? Were they greedy for more land, more people, more power? Had Edmond been defending himself and his father because he didn’t want her to see him like this?

She took a deep breath and gazed out over the garden. Something else was rising within her—an admiration for who Edmond seemed to be. Why? She couldn’t admire a man she didn’t even know how to trust. He and his father could be destroying the world and the life she was trying so hard not to let crumble more than it already had. Her lack of control was terrifying. But who was he really?

Again, she tried to focus only on the garden in front of her. The trees and flowers were so beautiful.

A doorknob turned, and the sound of boots clomped on the stone behind her. He had found her. It wasn’t the first time he had found her here. She needed to find a new quiet spot.

He stood there for a moment, then came to her. Silence settled between them. It seemed they could do nothing but argue lately. What could be said to ease the tension? Why had he still come to her? It seemed to be all they knew how to talk about.

He stood beside her, looking out into the skyline. The pinks, oranges, and purples painted the clouds as darkness continued to spread across the sky. Then he turned to her.

“Abigail,” his voice was quiet, gently pulling her out of her thoughts and drawing her attention. “Are you staying until the ball? Lady Evangeline did not tell me how long she invited you to stay.”

She looked up at him. “I have not yet decided if I will stay until then. It is still a month away. She would like me to stay.” Her eyes drifted back to the tree in front of her.

He wanted her to stay. He had so many things he wanted to say—but how? He felt trapped. If only he were not almost betrothed to that vexing princess. How could he convince Abigail to stay without asking her directly? He had not crossed that line—the one set between a man and woman during a courting season. He would not cross that line and betray the princess, no matter how aggravating she had become.

He realized Abigail was not acting formal like before. Had they become that comfortable? He didn’t mind. He was beginning to see her as a friend.

He changed the subject. “I saw you in the streets today. Well, actually, I have seen you many times with my people. I know you are not trying to be noticed, but I… I am grateful to you. I see how you care for them. And your love for them is… admirable.” He chose his words carefully. “You are not from here, but in the time you have been here, they have become a part of you. I only wish more of them would see people the way you do—providing for and protecting each other, no matter their station.”

She met his eyes again, unsure of what to say. There was something in his eyes she had not seen before. What was it?

“Why? Why do you do all of this for them when they do not even do these things for each other? You have not even been here long.”

“What do you mean? They are my people just the same as in the little woods village I came from. If I do not, who will? You said yourself—they do not even care for each other. Someone has to be willing to change things, or nothing will ever change.”

A faint smile formed on his lips, as if that was the answer he had hoped for. Had he been testing her? He genuinely seemed to care for his people. He was not acting. She could tell. But as she searched his eyes for any hint of dishonesty or manipulation, he studied her.

As much as she had been judging him and testing him all this time, she had never once seen judgment in his eyes. Even now, as he studied her, there was none. But now there was an intensity—a longing to know and understand her.

He turned away, leaning on the balustrade. She hadn’t realized she had stopped breathing. With everything in her, she wanted to believe he was a good man. She almost did. Did she really need more proof? Could she truly set aside the many things said against him?

But she was so close to knowing the truth of their past. Were his actions—and the things he had told her about himself and his father—enough to prove their innocence…