December 2004
My Lady's Favor
Swords clash as men fall and die upon the
field of battle. Bravely the King encourages his soldiers to fight
with courage and honor while arrows whistle through the air right over
their heads. Banners wave in the air, the castle is taken and cheers
ring out from the on looking crowd. "Huzzah!"
The men who are still alive raise their shields in triumph! That night the
mead is passed around numerous campfires while the fighting ladies and
lords are congratulated on their well deserved victory. Dragons fly
by spewing out latecomers while lords on radios walk by to make sure fires
are not left unattended.
Wait a minute... Radios? What is this? This my friends
is the Society of Creative Anachronism,
otherwise known as the SCA. It is an international society that
relives the historical period from 600 A.D. to 1600 A.D. I became
involved while attending Oregon State University and have come to love
this hodge podge of people who have a passion for the medieval time
period. In the SCA, I am known as Lady Roana Deletoile.
I serve as a lady in waiting to my baroness, Her Excellency Mariana, and
His Excellency, Gawin of Kevaloch. They can both be regal and fun at
the same time and I really enjoy spending time with them and all of my
other scadian friends.
In the SCA, there is a hierarchy of recognition for service and talent in
the form of awards. For example, the title of lady before my name
means that I have been formerly recognized by their Majesties, the King
and Queen, for having made a contribution to the
society. Another type of award are what we call
favors. These are given when you want to personally recognize
someone who has been of great assistance to you or who means something
more to you than what is known in the common way. Nearly a year ago
my baroness granted me the honor of wearing her favor on my belt. My
baron gave me one to where around my neck a couple of months
later.
Recently I attended a small event my baroness was hosting in part to thank
her retinue (her ladies in waiting and men at arms) for serving her and
His Excellency so faithfully over the last year. The event included
games and a candlelit feast which was the best feast I have ever had in
the SCA. At the end of the evening, she gave each of her retinue a
gift. Included in my gift was a beautiful necklace with a rose
pendant, Mariana's symbol. I was very touched by this gift as many
times I am unable to wear her favor due to the gowns I wear but now I will
be able to.
The day after the event, I wore my favor to church and as I was listening
to the words of the songs, I realized that God does something very similar to
what Mariana did for me. God chooses us to serve Him, lovingly and
faithfully, and in return cares for us, protects us, and most importantly,
majestically loves us. When we come into a relationship with Him, he
places His mark on our hearts and looks on us with special favor.
Even though there is nothing that outwardly marks us, we are bought, set
apart, and longed for. God has
invited us into His inner circle through His son so he could be near us,
and us Him.
I think if we truly had eyes to see His majesty all around us, we would be
swept off our feet wrapped in glory. In the meantime though, until
we do, His favor rests upon us and it is a favor worth giving our lives
to.
"May
the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish
the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work
of
our hands." Psalm 90:17
In Christ,
Sarah Katreen Hoggatt
News
In November I sold my books
at the Christmas Bazaar at Silverton Friends Church and it went very
well. Bazaars and various shows are something I would like to do
more of in the future so if any of you know of any, please let me
know.
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