THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA

"This is the most uncomfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on," thought the lovely young woman, as she tossed and turned – just as she had for hours.

She had hoped to make it all the way home on her own.

But, fading thoughts and heavy eyelids had forced her to stop.

It had been a lonely stretch of highway. There were no towns anywhere. It took many miles before she finally saw a small sign at the side of the road:

GOLGOTHA

"Where All Crossroads Meet"

What a strange name, thought the woman. But she couldn’t afford to be choosy. If she drove another mile, she’d fall asleep at the wheel, and…well…you know.

So she pulled into the small town.

It was only one block long. And there was only one place to stay –

LET ME INN

Proprietor: J. E. Sus

How odd.

She had checked in with no trouble. Mr. Sus was a very nice man, with kind eyes and a soft voice. He had given her the key to her room, and wished her a good night.

Everything was perfect in her room, except…evidently…the mattress.

"I can’t do this anymore," she thought to herself. "I’ve got to do something or I’m not going to be able to get any rest at all."

Finally, she got up, and headed to the office.

Mr. Sus was already at the desk, waiting for her.

"Having trouble sleeping?" he asked sympathetically.

"Yes, I am," replied the woman. "I’ve never slept on a more uncomfortable mattress."

"Others have said the same," replied Mr. Sus. "Some people choose to leave. Others say this is the most peaceful place they’ve ever stayed."

"Well, that certainly isn’t my experience. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask for another room."

"There isn’t another room. Your room is the only one."

Great, thought the woman. I should have figured as much.

"I’m too tired to go on. I have to stay. What should I do?"

"Let’s go to your room together," suggested Mr. Sus.

When they got to her room, Mr. Sus quietly lifted up the mattress, and there, sitting right in the middle, was a tiny green pea. At least that’s what the woman thought it was – it was hard to tell, the pea was so shriveled up.

"This is the problem," said Mr. Sus, as he pointed at the pea.

"Well, I’ll just get rid of it then," the exasperated woman said.

"You can’t," answered Mr. Sus.

"OK, then you do it."

"I can’t unless you tell me to remove it."

This was the dumbest conversation the woman thought she’d ever had.

"Fine, just do it then."

"It’s going to hurt…a lot." Mr. Sus looked at her intensely. "But afterwards, you’ll have the best sleep of your life." He smiled.

Was she caught in a Twilight Zone episode? She could sell this story to Stephen King and make a million. Not understanding, but so completely exhausted that she just had to sleep – she looked at Mr. Sus and said quietly…

"Go ahead, remove the pea."

Are you tired, my friends? Completely exhausted?

What’s the "pea-sized sin" that makes you uncomfortable, that you keep hidden deep inside your heart? The one that won’t let you rest?

Jesus can remove it, but you have to let HIM do it.

It’s going to hurt…a lot.

But afterwards?

Oh, glorious peaceful freedom!

LET HIM IN.

BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”