my beloved and chocolate

I had the privilege of sharing yet another wedding day of a very special couple this past weekend. Normally I am very "Martha" like and am not happy unless I am busy serving, fussing and generally attending to details. God had a different plan for me this time and I was at the ceremony sharing intimate moments with a sweet couple who love the Lord, serve Him gladly and were all about doing things His way.

You have heard about brides "glowing" on their wedding day, however, this was one bride who always let her light shine....she was always glowing about Christ. This past summer I taught the high school girls Sunday School class and we walked through the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians chapter five:

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

As we discussed these characteristics one person's name always came up as being a good example and it was this lovely young bride. No, she is not perfect, and I dare say that marriage will quickly bring out many imperfections, but her heart is one clearly set upon "the things above".

For me the memory I will forever seal in my mind was as the groom was told he could kiss his bride, I held my breath....his trembling hands gently lifted her veil, and in one sweet moment they shared their first kiss together. They had waited and saved this moment for each other and no one else.

What a picture of how God waits for us, wooing, praying, desiring for us to come to Him in much the same way. Willingly, excitedly, full of wonder and awe that He chose us. And He lifts the veil of confusion that as unbelievers blinds us to the truth, but as we step into the light, His glorious light we can see like we never have before and we have truly become His beloved.

Oh, and one more thing, there was chocolate. Need i say more?

 

twenty

I am sad to say that I no longer have a teenager in my home; my baby boy is all grown up! Yesterday he turned 20;  can someone please tell me where the time has gone?

Somehow, somewhere I got the idea that the older our children got the less we would have to pray for them---boy, was I ever wrong! I think the bottom line on that is a control issue---the younger they are the more "control"  we have. And the corollary is that the older they are the less control we have.  But, that is a telltale sign that I have not been allowing God much of a hand in there isn't it? It was an "aha" moment when I realized that it was a much better thing to simply let God have him then for me to try and micro manage his life. And much less of a burden to pray for him and to trust that God had his plans for him-that are way better then mine could ever be.

Tomorrow is another special day for me. I have a sweet little friend that turns 13. We get to celebrate our birthdays together---her actual physical birthday and my spiritual birthday! I say chocolate for everyone!