Wedding Joys

Recently I had the amazing joy of attending and participating in the wedding of one of my dearest friends.

The Bride and I met in 4th grade, shortly after my family moved to my current home state. We met through a mutual friend and she kept us connected. The Bride and I didn't actually become close friends till 8th grade when we worked for a summer ministry together and spent the first two weeks of ministry as roommates. We were both nervous and shy about trying something new, but we were able to lean on each other for strength and encouragement to get through those two weeks of training. Thankfully, those two weeks changed our friendship and started molding it into what it is today.

Over the years the Bride and I continued to grow closer as friends. In high school we began meeting at Panera for chat sessions. These visits continued after she moved away for college, some times this had to take place over the phone, but usually it was at Panera when she was home on break. I had the opportunity to visit her 3 times during her college years and enjoyed getting to see her new world and meet her dear college friends.

I remember the day I found out there was a boy in the picture. I couldn't help but be excited for this sister of the heart. She had worked through all of high school and college to remain emotionally pure, unattached and did not let herself get distracted. She was a role model to me, even as she told me I was a role model for her. Our friendship was a perfect picture of iron sharpening iron.

And then the day she called to tell me there was a ring on her finger, a date set and would I be in her wedding? I don't remember the last time I've so completely shared in someone's joy. I eagerly anticipated this August wedding date. The excitement of wedding dress shopping with her mom and sister-in-law and even more excitement when she found THE dress at the first shop. Trying on bridesmaid dresses and convincing her to go with the one "with POCKETS!" Running errands with her two days before the wedding and getting to see her new house. The happy memories that come with all those events are more than I can contain, but they are milestones that I will remember.

Everything about that weekend was beautiful, even down to the weather! A light rain Saturday morning cooled the hot temperature and lessened the humidity. The hurry to get ready, in less time than any of us thought would be possible. The nerves, the laughter, the joy, the tears. Before we knew it, they were man and wife and heading off on their honeymoon. I rejoice at their new beginning and look forward to keeping in touch with this special couple.

Memories:

• Bride: "Groomsman, meet bridesmaid" - Groomsman: "yeah, we just met. Like...just now....up there...at the front of the church. We are great friends!" 
• Groomsman: "Why didn't you do the cartwheel?!" 
• Bride: "In SICKNESS and in health....we are definitely getting to practice that vow from the start..."Bride: "He makes me to lie down in green pastures...." 
• Bride (to me): "What are you going to make me do?" 
• The get-away car.....and then fixing the get-away car 
• Groomsman: "I thought you stood me up!" 
• roomsmen: "Why, hello lovely ladies in green" 
• Bridesmaid: "This dress has POCKETS!! I totally forgot!" 
• Bridesmaid: "Dude.....on the left.....no, the other one....yeah, you....unbutton your jacket like the rest of the guys, you are ruining the picture" 
• Bridesmaid: "Wait, that's just a glorified clip-on tie? Why did I not know this before"
• Bridesmaid: "Shoot! Why'd they have to pray?!" 

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs MacLachlan!

Sticky Note #10

"I'm sad, but I know that God is still in control"

A couple weeks ago I got a text from my housemate that her 18 year old cousin had driven off the road and died. This young man was the epitome of a "life taken too soon" if you were to  look at it from the world's standards. Just graduated from high school, he was headed to a great college on a sports scholarship. Having received several prestigious awards for his sport of choice, this was the type of young man that you expected to see in the major news headlines in the near future. The next greatest in his sport.

But in a second, that career came to an end. After a long competition in another part of the state, he was driving home, his mother driving somewhere behind him. He fell asleep at the road, drove off the road and into the ditch. His mother drove up to the scene and discovered her only son was gone.

Last night was the first time I got to visit with my housemate since this happened. She shared with me the reaction of the family to this loss and the thing that struck me the most was the above statement. After receiving the news, she went to her Aunt and Uncle's house and was greeted at the door by her cousin (sister and only sibling of the young man). Her cousin's response to this horrible, tragic and life-altering news was "I'm sad, but I know that God is in control"

Is that my first reaction when tragedy strikes? Am I really able to go immediately to the comfort of God's sovereignty in my life? Can I honestly say "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21)?

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.


May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.


Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.


Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go - 
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

( "Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer", Music by Keith Getty; Words by Margaret Becker, Copyright © 2002 Thankyou Music )

Sticky Note #9

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth."

When was the last time you read the above passage?

To any person who has grown up in the church, memorizing scripture, I'm sure they can quickly quote what book this comes from, who it is talking about, context, etc.

But if you didn't KNOW the reference and context, who would you say this is speaking about? Where would you expect this verse to be located?

The above questions were asked and presented by a commentator on "The Case for Christ" video (The story of how Lee Strobel (author of the book "The Case for Christ", "The Case for Faith" and others). I visited a new church today and class was spent watching this hour long video. The commentator said that he took this verse around to his co-workers and asked them those questions. He described the group of people as a mixture of Jews and Gentiles.

Their answer?

Everyone responded that there was no doubt this scripture was talking about Jesus and was located somewhere in the New Testament. It was too accurate a picture of Jesus to be found in the Old Testament.

Where is it really located? Isaiah 53: 7 - very much Old Testament

When it comes to detail-oriented, no one can match God. I'm so thankful I serve and worship the one and only God, Creator and Mastermind before the world and everything I see and know.

How could I not trust my King

The One who has formed me and shaped me

I will rejoice and will sing

For the One who has made me has saved me

(Isaiah 53: 7 - ESV and "So I Will Trust You" by Sovereign Grace Ministries)