I attended a good friend's wedding this past weekend, and it was so lovely. She turned 30 this year, and spent her birthday solo in wine country- just because she felt like it. In many ways, she's an inspiration to me. She lives a happy, fulfilled life... still one with hurts and pain and grief and even despair, at times. And yet, after all her years of singleness, she remained joyful. Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Actually, let me quote a couple verses from Romans 12: 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
She embodies all of these charges. She delights herself in the Lord, and she was rewarded with the best gift. Her love and gratitude for the man God provided for her is and was so evident on her wedding day. I've never seen such a happy, excited, hopeful bride than her. She literally bounced along the entire night, so blissful, so... explosive. Explosive in the idea that maybe your heart is so big and full and happy that you might just... burst. And yet, it wasn't one of those loves that makes you painfully aware of your own self and makes you want to vomit; it delights to envelop you into their love, their hope, their joy.
With Jesus as the entire center of their world and being(s), it seems appalling to even think they had anything to do with their love story. Their love story was crafted, managed, and molded by Jesus and Jesus alone.
It was such a delight to share in their joy.
Oh- they had a balloon animal-maker at the cocktail hour.
And I got to create the centerpieces.
