Crown Him with Many Crowns

First and foremost, let me wish you a happy and blessed Easter. Although it's now mostly over. But is it ever really over? If you think about the cause for the celebration... He is risen! Ah, isn't that awesome to think about?

On a different note, my book is set to release in just a few weeks. Poison...perhaps you've heard of it. If not, no worries. You will. I have some upcoming blog posts planned to properly introduce you to my universe, so just hang tight. In the meantime, though, I wanted to share with you why I chose the symbol of the crown to represent God in my stories.

Way back when I was in grade school, my family would visit the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur, CO. It was hot and dusty, but everything within those tall wooden fences was complete magic. I wasn't a silly seventh grader with braces and doofy glasses that took up half my face. I was a princess, hailed by all. A little garland of flowers and ribbon in my hair and watch out, ladies of the realm!

And when the actor who played the king happened by, I was entranced. My eyes never left him. I'd tug on my mom's sleeve to follow after him. I'd ask to go to the ceremonies where he'd be appearing. And no, it wasn't a puppy love crush. It was allegiance.

Now, I've attended church for a while. I didn't back in those days, but working for a ministry and being a pastor's wife, it's kind of in the job description. Not to mention, I enjoy it! As a kid, I really didn't understand it, so I'd get bored. (I watched that same scenario play out with my kids today...) But I'd heard God described as a friend and a father.

Well, that's wonderful. But here's the thing...and I don't want you to feel sorry for me as I tell you this. I didn't have the greatest relationship with my dad. Oh, I loved him! I sought his approval in everything I did. I have many fond memories with him, and I am most grateful for the dad I had. Still, there was a lot lacking.

See, he didn't have a good dad. My grandfather was abusive to my dad starting at an early age. So my dad didn't have the model he needed. And I have two brothers. Being the only girl, I think my dad may not have known what to do with me. Again, this isn't to garner sympathy here. It's just my personal story.

So relating to God as a father was/is kind of a difficult thing for me. Glimpses, yes. But when I hear God described as a King...I can get behind that pretty quickly. I understand majesty. I understand leadership. I understand allegiance. And what's even cooler--that King IS my dad. Those glimpses do play a part.

That being said, the Crown seemed to make sense as the deity in my universe. And as I began to think about the three components, I saw how they would fit in. The Creator King--creator of the universe as well as the Father component. The Ruler Prince--Crown incarnate, the Son and Savior. And the Eternal Companion--the Spirit indwelling as promised.

As I've mentioned before, I don't want to be preachy in my books. Christianity is a large part of my life, so it only makes sense that it's a large part of my stories. But I never want to push it on anyone. It's an open door, and it's up to you to step through. So I leave it at that. And I'll root you on. I'll be there to answer questions...and if I don't know the answers, I'll find someone who does. But that decision is totally between you and God.

So now you know how the Crown came about. And just like with God's amazing story, there is an evil counterpart. But aren't we thankful good triumphs?! I'll share more about my villain in a different post. But for now, rejoice. For the stone is rolled away...and He is not there.

He is risen, indeed!