Mar
13
2017
Wedding Joy
Posted in Marriage 7 Comments
We were invited to a wedding.
It was appropriate that we were there.
The couple is very special to me.
I watched the unfolding of their love.
My youngest daughter was in the wedding.
The bride is a dear friend of hers.
All the bridesmaids love the Lord.
The bride asked the bridesmaids to stand with her in a unique way.
It was the day before my youngest daughter was to go back to college for her junior year.
The bride wanted to get together with her before she left for school.
It was to be a quick meeting until they would see each other again in a few months.
We had dinner planned here at home but my daughter was taking a long time to return.
Hours later, she walked in the door with apologies for being late but a huge smile on her face.
As she was waiting for her friend to arrive, she saw another friend enter the restaurant.
They both talked about going back to college.
Why are you here? They both asked each other.
They were each there to meet the bride, one on one, or so they thought.
A few more friends came in.
Suddenly, they all realized that the single invitation they each received was not single after all.
After they all arrived, the bride walked in quite proud of herself for pulling this off successfully.
Mom, I was asked to be a bridesmaid, my daughter said excitedly.
It was going to be a busy fall and winter since the wedding was in March.
The groom was part of their circle of friends as well.
He is a wonderful young man; he is 6′ 6” tall and has to duck under my doorways.
He has been over our house quite often.
He often stopped by to visit on a random afternoon.
He would sit at my kitchen island and eat M&Ms out of the chicken feeder dispenser.
He would talk to me about everything, but especially about his soon-to-be bride.
The Christmas after they were engaged, he gave her a unique present.
He went around to all her friends and family and had each of us write on a page in a journal.
We were asked to write about what his precious bride-to-be meant to all of us.
She is going to love this gift, I told him and he just beamed.
The day after they became engaged, they made the rounds to tell special friends in person.
What a joyful day that was, to see the two of them at my door.
There was so much love and excitement.
I was touched that I was one of the ones they wanted to visit.
The young couple invest a lot of their time and energy to the work of Young Life.
Young Life has a mission.
Every adolescent will have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and follow Him.
This young couple is passionate about sharing Christ with young people.
As I wrote a note on their wedding card, I wrote something that I pray for my own children.
I pray that you will serve Him better together than you could ever serve Him apart.
God will use them greatly.
God has already been using them for His Kingdom work.
The church was filled almost to capacity.
Many of those from Young Life were there.
Family and friends were there to share their joy.
Mothers of the bride and groom took their seats.
The doors opened and the Pastor walked in with the groom and his groomsmen.
One by one, the beautiful bridesmaids walked down the aisle.
Then, I saw them.
The precious ring bearer and flower girl were ready to walk down the aisle.
I have been to weddings where the young children become afraid when they see all the people.
The young children refuse to walk down the aisle or they run to their mothers.
I could tell that these two children were different.
I could tell that these two children were so excited about their important job.
The little ring-bearer wore suit pants, a vest and tie, dress shoes, and a boutonniere.
He carried a chalkboard sign in his hand.
It read: Here Comes Your Girl.
He had the sweetest smile on his face as he proudly held his sign.
The flower girl was as pretty as a picture.
With her white dress and purple sash and ballet flats on her feet, she was so adorable.
Her white basket had paper flower petals that she exuberantly dropped down the aisle.
The flower girl did not walk, she skipped with all the joy that one could muster.
There were moments when she was actually airborne.
You could not help but feel the joy that she exuded with every step she took.
I looked at her and thought: This is what a wedding should be.
This is what a wedding is to God.
In the midst of all the preparations and plans, we sometimes forget.
As we schedule and check our lists, we can get bogged down with details.
Not this little flower girl.
She skipped above the expectations and showed everyone the joy behind what was happening.
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-11)
The first miracle that Jesus performed was at a wedding.
That was appropriate.
I imagine Jesus enjoyed Himself at a wedding celebration.
I imagine that Jesus had a wonderful belly laugh.
Every time we go to a wedding, we should remember that God instituted marriage.
Every time we go to a wedding, we should remember that we are the Bride of Christ.
Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, in Him we are a spotless Bride.
We are being prepared so that we will be ready for our Husband.
One day there will be a Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
What a celebration that will be.
Jesus will finally celebrate with His Bride.
We will exude even more joy than the little flower girl as we meet our Bridegroom.
We will skip.
We will be airborne with sheer joy.
We will only have eyes for our Husband who waits for us there.
Our Bridegroom will extend His hand; we will take it and walk with Him into eternity.
Beautifully written, my friend! It was a delightful service, glorifying the Lord in EVERY way possible and so much fun! Praise be to God!
Amen, sweet friend! It was a blessing to our mother’s hearts to see our daughters stand with such a precious bride. What a celebration it was!
Gina
Beautifully written Gina! Such joy to behold even now in knowing my Bridegroom awaits my arrival one awesome day and will welcome me as his Bride to spend eternity with him in joy unspeakable. There is no better wedding gift from my heavenly Husband than this!!
Carolyn,
Amen! if only we would think of that Truth each time we attend a wedding. One day the joy will be complete and the waiting will be over. Until then, we wait. You are loved.
Gina
Just beautiful… Brought me to tears!
Gerry,
What a joyful wedding it was! I am sure that your mother’s heart is treasuring all the memories. Jesus was glorified in everything, as He should be. I know that you are basking in the glow of such precious love displayed.
Gina
Yes I am!!