A New Beginning

Yesterday our babysitter got married.  She isn't just any babysitter.  She's the person we entrusted our kids to while we went on our first ever five-day-trip without them.  It's saying a lot that we trust her that much.  

I knew my girls especially would love seeing her get married.  My son on the other hand was slightly grossed out about the part where they have to kiss.  But he played cool and didn't show that the whole thing weirds him out.  He says, "I can't believe that one day I'll do that".  Oh soon enough his feelings will change.  But right now I'm happy that he's not into all that stuff.

The girls however, love to play pretend 'marry' all the time.  What is it that makes little girls begin at such a young age dreaming of the day they'll say, "I do."  I don't remember playing this way myself.  But I probably did.  Or at least I believed that one day I'd dress up and my prince would carry me away.

I recently found a scrapbook I made for my husband shortly after we were married.  In it I actually called him my prince charming.  So I did think that way.  I guess every girl does.

When I was younger I don't think I really understood that only Jesus can be our true prince.  He is the one who should come first and foremost in our lives.  I definitely know there were times when I placed my husband in too high a position in my mind and expectations.

That's not fair to him and it's not fair to Jesus. 

When we put Jesus front and center, we can love those in our lives better.  

It's comforting knowing there really is a fairytale where the one true Prince will ride in on a white horse with a happy ending.  A glorious ending.  He is our hero, the final victor over all that is evil.  I praise God for that and get chills every time I think of how Jesus has conquered it all. 

I saw heaven standing open 
and there before me was a white horse, 

whose rider is called Faithful and True. 

Revelation 19:11

It is almost 14 years since we said I do.

  There are many things I would do differently with the dedication of our lives united with God in the covenant of marriage.  I considered myself a faith filled person back then.  But my faith has grown so much more.  And honestly I was a bit too stressed out about too many silly details.  For example.. the flowers.  Oh don't get me started.  I think my perspective was a little off.

 

I was young and hadn't learned a lot.  We hadn't experienced so much of life that we have now.  We hadn't shared so many adventures, so many firsts, so many moments of joy.  We also hadn't weathered the storms that would come our way.  We hadn't even seen the challenges that were ahead.  

There's something special about seeing the new beginning of a new life together.  That blissful feeling that all is perfect and well.  It's a clean slate.  It's the way it should be when two become one.

But I also have come to love the story of a life lived together, through the good times and bad.  There's something about learning to put God first in your marriage and walking hand in hand through life's trials and tests and seeing your love grow to an even deeper level.  

When you get married you think you're so in love and you are.  But amazingly through the years I've realized that my love is so much deeper and stronger now.  It's stronger for seeing my husband care for us and work hard for us and step up and do the right thing, when the right thing is hard.  Seeing him as the spiritual leader and companion and confidant God meant him to be in my life.  Seeing the Jesus in him as the years have gone by has made me love him even more than the day I said I do.

The best part is that in some ways this feels like it's just the beginning too.  We have so many years ahead of us and life to live together.

I wish Broc and Nicole the very best.  Blessings for years of growing stronger in their love for each other and for God in the center of their marriage and their lives.

 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, 

like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
  "Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
  Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
  For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
  Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear."

Revelation 19:6-8