Each day is different. Some are filled with the seemingly insignificant. They leave no definite impression upon the mind in their passing. Others are more memorable. They change the course of our lives, alter our thinking, or mark us with memories that time will never erase. Sometimes the making of those memories is painful and cuts deep—and other times, the experiences behind the memories are so meaningful, so significant, so beautiful and so breathtaking as to be almost painful.
Yesterday was all of those things—meaningful, significant, beautiful, and breathtaking by turns. Because yesterday, I had the tremendous privilege of standing beside my little sister, the most amazing young woman I have ever known, as she pledged herself in marriage to an equally amazing young man who has earned her love, her trust, her respect…and her hand.
For my little sister, yesterday was the fulfillment of many dreams…and the beginning of what I hope is a long and rich journey. The morning hours of preparation were a blur, but time seemed to move in slow motion once the wedding ceremony itself began.
There was the seating of the grandparents, the close relatives, the mothers…the procession of the bridal party…and then, for one long moment, all of the bridesmaids and groomsmen were standing at the front of the church, and there was silence as all eyes gazed expectantly towards the door at the back of the sanctuary.
As the hauntingly beautiful melody line of “Be Thou My Vision” filled the sanctuary, my little sister appeared on my father’s arm, gliding towards the front of the church slowly, gracefully, wearing a smile more radiant than any I have ever seen.
Beside me waited a young man for whom this moment was the culmination of a dream…and the beginning of a new life. The degree of his nervousness was almost as apparent as the intensity of his joy, but the glow in his eyes was mirrored only by that which sparkled from the blue depths of my sister’s gaze.
And then she was there, beside him, her hand in his, eyes gazing trustingly up into his face. For twenty-one years, God had been uniquely preparing her for this moment, to join her life with that of this man, to minister together beside him for as many years as God chooses to give them. And for twenty-one years, God had been preparing him to lead her, to love her, to protect and provide for her, and to grow in grace with her. The intentionality of our Creator is a marvelous and beautiful thing.
As part of the wedding ceremony, Michelle and Joel wanted to have the congregation join them in singing “In Christ Alone.” The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, and I remember looking over during several of the verses to see my sister, eyes closed, worshiping, singing from the depths of her heart, hand in hand with the man who will worship God beside her for the rest of her life…it is a sweet, sweet thing to me that Michelle and Joel were so intentionally aware of the fact that yesterday was not about them as a couple—that weddings, like every other part of life, are to be centrally focused on the message of the cross, because the marriage which follows the wedding must be focused there as well.
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
Michelle and Joel’s wedding was one of the most worshipful ceremonies I’ve ever been a part of, and it was a whole lot of fun to boot. I am so, so happy for them, and totally excited to watch them grow together as a couple during the years that follow this one!
And now…maybe the Beaty family can sit back and take a few deep breaths, and not have any weddings for a while, because the younger boys have some growin’ up to do before they’re ready to go wife-shopping. Phew.
Censored! Oh wait...they're allowed to do this now. Woohoo!
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