My daughter was married on Saturday. It was a splendid occasion! She and her new husband were surrounded by family and a host of friends – all there to celebrate with them and to be witnesses to the vows of commitment they made to each other. The preparations had taken months. And the culmination was an explosion of beauty. The women were dressed in lovely gowns and they were radiant. The men were tuxedo-clad and handsome. Musicians played lovely music to welcome all into the sanctuary. Flowers cascaded down the aisle and across the front of the room in an array of fabulous color and form. A long-time friend and spiritual guide welcomed the bride and groom and spoke to them about love, about commitment, about marriage. He led them through promises to each other and the exchanging of rings to signify their vows.
The bulk of my task, as her mother, was finished. The room was dressed and beautiful. The gowns had been purchased and fitted. The photographers were scurrying about in the attempt to capture the splendid moments for memory’s sake. So I watched … and listened.
I focused on my child’s face. It was a picture of joy. Her eyes communicated everything – her love for this man, her willingness to give herself to him and to walk beside him. There was no apprehension on her face – no caution or fear – it was complete surrender to the reality of uniting with him. I was moved deep within my spirit.
Then the words of my Lord flooded my mind and heart. “Do not let your heart be troubled … I am preparing a place for you … I will come and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.” I thought about the wedding language that the Lord uses to describe His relationship with His own – with me. I thought about the coming “wedding supper of the Lamb”. And I thought about myself. As I watched my daughter’s face, I wondered about my own face when I look upon my Lord. Is there that complete love? Do my eyes radiate the willingness to be where He is? Am I as willing to follow Him wherever He leads?
And there was dancing. My daughter dancing with her father – faces radiating love. My daughter dancing with her husband – faces aglow with the love they have for each other. I watched a father giving his daughter into the arms of the young man. And I remembered - Jesus spoke about His Father “giving” each believer to Him – a gift of indescribable worth. I am that gift to my Lord – a gift from the Father. Am I willing to stay in step with my Lord? Am I willing to make my steps fall in place with His – to follow His lead?
It was a beautiful night. My heart was beyond full and overflowing with gratitude. The experience also sends me to prayer:
O my Lord, I do want You to transform my heart into all loveliness for You.
My heart’s desire is to be beautiful for You.
I long to dance in perfect harmony with You.
I give myself to You again today … ever more fully … ever more graciously.
I am content in Your arms and in Your heart.
And I pray that my face, my entire being, radiates my love for You.
My Jesus ... My LORD. Labels: Learning Through Family |
You have given me a gift today - looking at this special event from your perspective. I share your prayer that I might be so willing, so devoted, and so filled with joy! The wedding was a beautiful day of celebration - and how much more will our day of celebration be when we are in His arms. I cannot imagine the spendor of the color and the music and rejoicing that there will be! But my mind trys!