A Truly Lovely Love Triangle

Today, we went to a wedding.

Not a "making it legal," or a "gettin' hitched," but a covenant marriage celebration. God bless 'em...the late 20's bride and slightly older groom came to the altar with their whole hearts, emotions and bodies free from division or defilement and promised their love and faithfulness to one another. It was beautiful to see, and I'm so thankful that my daughters were able to witness such an unusual spectacle in this world. Purity. Patience. Promise.

There's an almost palpable spirit of sacredness at the wedding of a couple who have said no to dating and instead, committed themselves to the principles of courtship. Their walk down the aisle seems more profound, the vows sound more thoughtful, the music rings clearer, the prayers and blessings--more personal. But best of all, the couple is more in love.

I say they are more in love because their minds and emotions are not remembering old flames. They're not divided. They've been saved for one another. They're not carrying the baggage of other loves into this God-ordained commitment. Their marriage is a triangle between bride, groom and Savior--not a polygon of numerous loves and losses.

Anyway, today we sat on the bride's side; she's the daughter of one of our former pastors. And over the course of an hour, the 1000-person hall filled up with a host of large, homeschooling families who mostly attend one of the three churches left after Boerne Christian Assembly here splintered a few years ago. Well, except us.

We may not worship with them anymore, but we sure do love them! It's always a joy to see, greet and catch up with old friends at a gathering like this. Fifi, especially, has been faithfully praying for the couple and remarking multiple times each day, "What do you think A is thinking right now?" and "I bet A is sooooo excited today."

She's so thoughtful.

So, we arrived early enough to be ushered to a seat with time to spare to silently do some people watching...

Oh! there's so-and-so. *smile and wave*

Look Dumpling, there's your long-lost best friend! *smile, wave and rearrange so Dumpling can sit by said BFF*

Is that so-and-so? Those children are getting so big! *smile and nod*

Oh, good. There's the such-and-such family. Let's make a point to catch up with them at the tea-time reception. *wave*

Hey! Look! She's pregnant again! She's older than me...why can't I seem to get pregnant?

And, hey...so-and-so's pushing an infant stroller. Is that her baby? When did she have a 5th child?

Why can't I have one?

And then, thankfully, my private narcissistic moment is interrupted by the ceremony's commencement. And it is lovely. The wedding party is grand. Flower girls are well-behaved and adorable. And the junior bridesmaid looks so sweet that I praise the Lord in my heart for showing her such a kindness on the 1st anniversary of her daddy's death at an amusement park last year. The widows and the orphans--this community of believers sure does practice a religion that is acceptable and pleasing to the Father.

So, we're watching and listening along to the congregational worship portion of the ceremony and I'm feeling like someone who is happy enough to be at a wedding because weddings are just nice, aren't they? The bride looks so lovely. The worship is so heartfelt. And then I notice the bride's older sister wiping tears in the bridesmaid line. And I watch her for a minute as she watches her sister and it suddenly hits me--these folks aren't merely marrying off their daughter, building her a house on the family acreage and excitedly awaiting the first baby that, Lord willing, will result from this union. These folks are giving their daughter a very grand farewell and giving her to a man who will take her to join him in his ministry...in China.

Did I mention that the groom is an ESL instructor in China?

As this truth settled into my being and the lump in my throat began to hurt, I prayed. I prayed for the bride and groom. I prayed for their marriage. I prayed for their ministry. I prayed for their parents--I prayed they would be strengthened and comforted as they send their girl far, far away.

And I prayed for myself. Because though I believe myself yielded and willing to go wherever He might choose to send me, it hadn't occurred to me before that moment to confront the real possibility that someday He might call me to be yielded and willing to...let Him...send...them. My darlings. To the other side of the world, if that be His will for them.

I long to be that trusting and loving and submitted to my Savior.

And in the midst of all this doubt and confession that is against Him, I am reminded by Him, that to everything there is a season. And that His grace is sufficient for me. And that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

photo credit: The Wedding - Charles Schweninger