The restaurant was noisy.  Dishes clattered in the kitchen and voices of all ages converged to create a familiar distraction.  At one table, nestled in a dim corner of the restaurant, a young couple sat, gazing intently at each other.  The contrast between them was riveting.  He was tall, dark, powerfully built.  She was petite, fragile looking and yet possessed of a serenity about her that seemed to flow out and touch even the diners near to her.  If one had ventured close to their table they would have noticed that even the sounds around it were muted, calm, pensive.  His strength created a protective shield around them.  Her joy created a peacefulness that glowed like a golden aura enveloping them.  They were speaking softly to one another and seemed focused entirely on each other, oblivious to the hustle and bustle of the busy room.

The man was smiling at her now.  Reaching underneath the table, he withdrew a medium sized box, wrapped in green paper and beribboned with a large pink bow.  He gave her a direction and she held out her hands to receive the gift.  He nodded to her encouragingly and she began to unwrap the present.  Slowly, she took one end of the pink ribbon and let the bow unravel.  She looked up at him with a shy smile on her face and asked him a question.  He held out his hand and she placed the ribbon in it, closing his big fingers around the delicate material and holding them for a moment before letting go.  He laughed softly and placed the ribbon in his front jacket pocket, patting it once before turning his attention back to her.  She was unwrapping the box now.  Eagerness had overcome her initial reticence and she quickly tore the green paper off the present.  Tossing it to the side, she ran a long fingernail under the rim of the box, unsealing it.  She popped the lid open and peered inside.  The man was holding his breath.  His chest had expanded with the intake of air and the atmosphere seemed to crackle in anticipation of her response to the treasure hidden inside the box.  Tension mounted as she stared at the contents of the box.  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a slow smile spread across her face.  When that happened, the man began to laugh.  Not at her.  Not with her.  But for her.  For them.  Relief and triumph were in his laugh.  His eyes locked on hers and he issued a command he knew she would follow.  She answered with confidence and reached inside to retrieve the first item.

Pulling out a thin, black velvet collar sparkling with diamonds, the woman looked expectantly at the man.  She held out her hands, the gorgeous collar draped over them.  The man took the delicate piece of jewelry in his hands and leaned across the table.  He fastened the collar around her neck and sat back to admire her.  The woman's hands moved to her neck to feel the item there.  She ran her fingers over every inch, reading it like Braille.

At this time, the woman brought out her own gift and placed it on the table in front of her.  She stared down at the package; a simple, unadorned golden box.  On top was attached a small note, written in her own hand.  Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the man sitting across from her.  He nodded to her and smiled at her curiously.  It seemed obvious he had not expected her to give him a gift, too.  She slid out from her seat with the golden box in her hands and walked surely around the table until she was standing at his side.  Then, she gracefully sank to her knees, the box clutched tightly in her grip.  If the other diners noticed anything unusual, they didn't kick up a fuss.  No one seemed inclined to disturb the little tableau that was unfolding in that corner of the room.  To all it seemed beautiful, serene...right.  They went on eating.  The woman looked up at the man, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.  Her gaze was filled with love and devotion and he looked down upon her with adoration beyond measure.  She handed the gift up to him, kissing the box once before it left her hands and was placed in his.  The man unfastened the note and placed the gift on his lap.  He opened the small piece of paper and began to read.  He looked down in admiration at the woman and she nodded her head to him. 

Yes.  The box was empty.  A lone tear trickled down his face as he looked at the woman sitting at his feet, wearing his collar.  Reaching one hand down to help her up, he then led her quietly out of the restaurant, the empty golden box still clutched in one hand.  The note fluttered to the floor where a passing waiter saw it and picked it up. 

It read:  

Master...
All that I was prepared me for you.  
All that I am is now for You.
All that I want to be, You will choose.
I am Your empty box.  Fill me up, Master.
Fill me with Your glory, Your golden sunlight, Your power, Your will.
Fill this box with Love and Light and Learning.
In return, I gift to you my Serenity, my Power, my Soul,
my Being, my Love.
I belong to You. Fill me up. 
~ Your Joy ~


~ author unknown ~