The Parable Girl

By C. J. Cooley

You are sitting outside a locked door waiting for it to open when you’re the one holding the key! Learn how to unlock a treasure just for you. A spark of understanding can give someone the power to interpret how a story can relate to heaven. A parable is a short story with a heavenly message. Your story is no exception. Are you read

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Jan 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781640885165

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The Parable Girl

C. J. Cooley

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2019 by C. J. Cooley

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For information, address Trilogy Christian Publishing

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, Ca 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Manufactured in the United States of America

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

B-ISBN#: 978-1-64088-515-8

E-ISBN#: 978-1-64088-516-5

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my Creator. His molding, His shaping and His gentle whispers have kept me busy and have kept me promised. I am very grateful to those teachers, editors, and spiritual leaders that I have the privilege to follow. Thank you, Carolyn Hooper, for believing in this book and believing in the gifts that God has placed in me. Thank you for always cheerleading me to my purpose. Thank you to a strong brilliant warrior, Tracey Woods-Dunnom, who wrote the foreword and has gone to be with Jesus. To my mom and dad, Aunt Kim, Jessica, Nyiah, Josh, and the rest of my large family! Your love has always been a shelter, a shelter that has provided a safe place for my thoughts to run free. Thank you to my patient, kind, and generous husband Cornelius; you came in God’s time! Thank you to my ever precocious, hilarious, and anointed little girl, Leila Harper. I am beyond grateful.

Foreword

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. How many of us, as a young girl approaching puberty, read that popular novel by Judy Blume? This, for many preteens whether in church or not, was one of our first introductions into issues dealing with puberty, liking boys and developing a relationship with God.

In a day and age where divorce is still an issue, marriages are on the decline, while the unwed era is rising, The Parable Girl, is a must read for women of all ages. The author C. J. Cooley, new on the scene, is a Christian young lady I’ve watched grow up to be sold out, totally dedicated, and on fire for the Lord. She’s determined, unwavering, seeking the heart of God, and this is evident in this collection of short stories that speak to all aspects of relationships, especially the relationship of a Christian woman with her Lord and Savior as she waits for her God-chosen husband.

In a unique way, C. J. has done a superb job of bringing to light—in parable form—biblical principles concerning relationships with men, family, girlfriends, and most importantly the relationship with God. And this is where the similarity with Judy Blume’s novel ends. If you’re anywhere between your late teens or already retired and thinking about or looking for a husband, this book starts where that preteen book ends with respect to the relationship with God.

Each chapter stands on its own as it deals with issues countless young women struggle with daily. Issues like past sexual relationships outside of marriage, how to use faith instead of people, overcoming pride, the effects of being idle, combating fear, and my personal favorite—dealing with jealousy. For the one called to a celibate life, there’s a parable for you. For the prodigal daughter—there’s a parable for you. C. J. has allowed the Holy Spirit to use her to creatively deal with biblical principles like believing what the Word says about you, what to do in the preparation period and dealing with the enemy’s tactics.

It is my prayer that all those that read this book will let the Holy Spirit minister to them as it did to me. There’s something in here for everyone—including men, if they desire to learn about godly character as it relates to the woman they seek to marry.

So whether you’re familiar with Judy Blume’s novel or not, this book is one you should become familiar with. The Parable Girl is a refreshing, powerful book for all seeking a husband and wanting to do it God’s way. Please welcome C. J. Cooley as a new voice in an area that needs a fresh voice. As you read, let the Holy Spirit speak to you through each parable as He spoke through her as she wrote them.

Tracey Woods-Dunnom

Reason for the Parable Girl

Being single is not easy. Being a single Christian woman is almost unbearable (at least it seemed so to me). Sometimes we feel we are the only ones left waving the flag of virtue with no reply!

Where is he? But with great sacrifice there is a bigger promise. These virtue tales are written for women who chose to wait for a godly man—not any man, while basking in complete relationship with Christ.

What does that mean?

No matter how young you are (you could have just made sixteen) or mature (recently divorced, near retirement) or in the middle—twenty-five and antsy. (This was me.) There is a parable for you. These parables were written to encourage the single woman to wait for companionship while working on her character (attitude/flaws: we all have them!) and enjoy the time she has alone with God.

These parables are all about relationships. They not only speak about the relationship we desire with a man but also the relationships we have with our Creator, our family, our friends, our enemies, and let’s not forget: the girl in the mirror: ourselves.

Parables inspired by the Holy Spirit to enlighten, parables to give insight, parables to provoke laughter, parables to provide a little fantasy, as well parables to provide a reason to worship God in our single years… I even recommend single men read it (there’s stuff in here for you too!)

Hopefully, these parables will open our eyes and ears to really listen and watch the signs God reveals to His daughters on how to make dating a little easier. I pray that this book will help transform singlehood into an intimate journey and not a curse.

Lord knows I needed the revelation! Happy discovery!

Peace, love and many blessings,

C. J. Cooley

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not awaken love until it so desires. (Song of Songs 8:4)

A Man to Meet My Mountain

Among the valley of many

Here I press.

In the midnight muddy moss

Here I crawl.

Through the dense uphill climb

Here I am.

Among me there are beasts bold and brazen ready to take my life

I hold on lest I fall.

They creep, they lurk hungry in the shadows

I pause in place unsure.

There is a rushing wind

I trust and I know I’m not alone.

Past the spiral turns, beyond the steep cliffs I find my courage.

Through scorched skin and dusty air there is an upward tug.

I feel secure, safe for travel

Prepared for the clouds ahead.

I move forward to meet him

Sure, enough he is there.

Along the beaten path his arm reaches for mine.

When darkness falls he pulls me up

He leads me with loving footsteps.

Skin smoothed by his touch, his gentleness, his devotion

With aching limbs, I follow him up this mountain,

With flowing wisdom from above he knows the way.

The mountain is sharp and rugged

We stumble, we crawl, we tumble, even fall.

But never divide

Higher and higher we ascend

Into the light of lights

Down in the dark valley old friends call

They beckon, they reach, they scratch, they claw

Accusations fly, stones soar…

Our mountain stands unscathed.

We are still climbing

Bruised, battered bodies

But renewed, restored spirits arise.

There is a longing to reach the top

There is a pinnacle of peace for the two of us,

So together we climb,

This man and I

Alone, the peak is promised

United a universe beckons.

The Parable of the God-Chosen Husband

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far, far away where trees grew very tall, fruit of every color bloomed in abundance, and flowers of every seed sprung up from every spot of earth lived four splendidly beautiful princesses. The kingdom was named Jewel Kingdom for, you see, the King was their Father and He loved his daughters so much they were a precious jewel in His eyes.

The princesses were all gifted with not just beauty but intelligence, good nature, and unique talent. Although the princesses had many suitors, each lived in her own tower to wait for her handpicked love…

The King worked very hard to make sure His Kingdom continued to grow rich and prosperous and His daughters used their talents to help out.

The eldest princess had a glorious singing voice; in the daytime, she lifted her voice to the heavens and all the vast creatures of the sky and land would surround her tower to listen. The others smiled and said, A great man will find her one day all he has to do is follow the sound of her lovely voice!

The second princess was a wonderful storyteller. At night, she perched in her window. Her tower glowed with a warm light as the sisters listened in wonder to stories about magical places. The sisters laughed when the princess became a jester and trembled when she became a villain. And they applauded at the end of the story when the knight rescued the maiden from the foul dragon.

They cheered and said, A great man will find her one night all he has to do is slay a dragon to retrieve the compass like in the story!

The third princess was a skilled seamstress and fabulous decorator. Her hands and eyes worked together to design masterpieces every day. Her dresses were detailed and divinely cut to fit her shapely form. She loved to make things pretty. She decorated her trees with ribbons and sparkles and wrapped her tower in cherry spiral branches and yellow and gold magnolias. Until one day, she had no more space outside her exquisite tower, so she continued her work inside! The princess’s skills were so magnificent people from all parts of the kingdom came to admire it. Soon thousands traveled from across the world just to get a glimpse of the princess’s tower inside and out and of course her breathtaking gowns.

The royal sisters cooed with admiration and said, A great man will surely find our stylish sister! Her name is famous all over the world! The tourist line stretched all the way to the enchanted forest that day.

The first princess continued the conversation, One afternoon he will step out of the long line and proclaim his love for her! The third princess gleamed with anticipation, Someday. Someday soon, I hope, she said. The three sisters daydreamed about their chosen husbands all day long as they sat perched at their tower windows. Haaaaa. They let a sigh from the windows. One day, they all said in unison.

Their Father’s voice was heard: Good night, daughters.

Good night, Father, three princesses responded.

But only three waiting forms outlined three windows.

Ahh, they sighed again and fell asleep. The fourth princess was nowhere to be found.

Where was she?

The fourth princess was working in the kingdom again!

The last princess was given a rare gift. She had a gift to heal the sick and wounded. Everything and anyone that was hurt was mended with one single touch from her gentle, loving hands. And although her heart was fair, it was guarded. Every day when her sisters talked about great men she didn’t join in. She was much too busy… Her hands were needed in the kingdom.

She healed people. She healed animals.

She even healed trees and plants.

And when needed… She repaired furniture too!

The princess treated everyone in the kingdom with gentle kindness, from her Father’s guards to the lowly shepherd boy. No one was ignored in her presence; no one was abandoned in her care. All of Jewel Kingdom loved the healing princess and always desired her company.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom was being flocked with men! Suitable men from all around the world came to greet the radiant princesses by knocking at their tower doors.

And the princesses were impressed!

Handsome men, strong men, men with honors, men with medals, men with trophies and stamps of approval stood at their tower doors. Men on horses, men in grand carriages, men on camels, and men on stilts asked for the ladies’ hands in marriage. Men wearing crowns, men carrying swords and men in armor promised the chosen four the world.

Tall men, petite men, stocky men, bearded men, shaven men, dark men, fair men, comical men, bashful men, and odd men complimented the beautiful royal women.

Men bearing gifts, men wooing with lutes and electric guitars, men reciting verses propped on one knee pledged their love and adoration at the princesses’ tower doors.

And they all came, and they all left without one acceptance to their generous proposals.

For when the royal daughters’ hearts skipped a beat their Father would say, I have not chosen any of them, for it is not time. And the princesses were obedient.

They bid the suitors’ farewell, each saying, Sorry, Father has not chosen you. Goodbye!

And this happened every day with the same results. And the three princesses were growing tired of waiting.

Till one day, another rambunctious group was allowed into the tower gates.

When the eldest