As I sat on my couch this morning, writing another post for later this week, the doorbell rang. I opened the door to this fresh smiling face, remembering why she was here. This young lady was one of the bridesmaids for a wedding we were attending later this afternoon. She was here to join the rest of the girls downstairs in our basement before the day-long preparation for the wedding.
We have a beautiful young Godly woman named Sarah who has lived with us this past year, and today is her wedding day.
As I opened the basement door to show Sarah’s friend downstairs, sounds of joyful laughter and chatting filled the stairwell, as did the fragrance of pampering and preparations.
I was struck by the importance of this day for Sarah. Not just the “importance” of a wedding, but the deep down significance of the committment she is about to make. What would I tell her about marriage if she asked?
That while it may not always be easy, it is a beautiful weaving of two souls over many years of experiences, trials, disappointments, and victories. That even though you are convinced the other person needs to change, the true change comes from within yourself–through grace and forgiveness and acceptance. I would remind her that she is marrying a sinner (and that she is one also) so don’t hold her future spouse to the level of a saint. The quote, “The purpose of marriage is to bring you to the end of yourself” has beautiful significance if one chooses to accept it.
I would share that the legacy of committment and perseverance even through the dark valleys of your relationship will echo for generations to come, and that some of the best moments are those when you both just hold each other, with words unspoken, knowing that regardless of what stresses weigh you both down, all will be ok as long as you have each other.
Finally, I would tell her that the greatest gift in life is to have married your best friend.
Those are the words I would share with Sarah, because it is the truth I have found. But not today. So much of that is just learned in the journey together, hand and hand and hand–with God.
Sarah just came up the stairs on her way to the events and preparations of the day. I ran to give her a hug and tell her we are praying for her. We will see her in white as she walks down the aisle.
These are the photos from the wedding later that day. It was an amazing wedding, so filled with love and joy, and centered on God’s beautiful gift of marriage.
