I found another picture the other day of my husband among his family photos taken at our wedding. It was a side view of him taken at the church. He was wearing all white and looking back at me while I was walking down the aisle. The look on his face was sheer content and desire. I held the picture in my hands and cried. I remembered feeling so privileged and honored that he would want to share his life with me, with me! If you had seen me, I was nothing great to look at. I was as skinny and scrawny as a twig, ( no shape). I wore no make up, (I was a "hippie"), the dress I got was from a clearance rack, the smallest they could find and it still had to be taken in everywhere. I had crooked front teeth (I only got braces when I was pregnant for my 3rd child :). What did he see? As I relayed this to a friend of mine and her daughter....the daughter remarked, "you didn't where make-up?" I replied no since I didn't where it any other time.... So I asked again, What did he see in me? The friend replied, "Your heart!!". I stopped and felt a God moment....
John made me feel like I was the best thing to happen to him. He knew me, all my faults and weaknesses and yet He loved me so very well...when I feel lonely for him and ache in my heart at my loss, I stop and revel in the knowledge that I was cherished so......
I see a picture here, one of us, the bride....not much to look at on the outside but here is our Savior, our Lord Jesus gazing at us from the throne with such desire and love. He is perfect, and we are not. What does He see? Despite what we look like, He is waiting and wanting us. Oh such a love!!
No matter how beautiful the bride or groom, there are not certainties here that the marriage will last....we have seen so many break ups haven't we? It is not what is seen that will last......those of us who have grown older see the effects of that on our bodies.... :).... the wedding dress doesn't fit most of us anymore either. Yet after many years, (almost thirty), my heart would still skip a beat when I knew I was going home to see my John. And my heart beats fervently for the One who knows me best and loves me best, My Lord Jesus. That deep revelation is needed in the church today. If we stopped all our busyness, spent time alone in His Presence we would be amazed at such desire from One so Holy and Good. It would make us lay aside all the distractions, and trifle pleasures of this life and concentrate on the one purpose we were made for....JESUS. Yes! He is our reason for living and He is our fulfillment. After returning home from my friend's that night, I wept before my Lord with such gratefulness. I wish I had John before me often. Sometimes I sigh so deep that it makes my heart physically hurt. But if this trial brings me to a place to share truth and comfort to a hurting and lost world (including the church) then so be it. What else is there in life to compare with the magnificent overwhelming Grace of our God. What better purpose is there then to array myself in the white He purchased for me and walk down life's road to meet Him at the throne.....to be one with Him. This is our greatest privilege and honor........may we stop and revel.....
