The Rehearsal

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Margaret

I began praying for my children before I’d met any of them, and one of my ongoing requests was for their future spouses, should they choose to marry. It was fun to think about those other children, wherever they were during the growing-up years, being raised in other families, yet being prayed for by ours.

As the dating years arrived, I secretly wondered, “Is she that one? Or maybe is he?” Just like parents longing to meet and get acquainted with their not-yet-born baby, I longed to put names and faces with my prayer requests for these future spouses.

Now I have the pleasure of connecting Klaus’ bride with a name (Brooke) and face (lovely), which was great satisfaction when it happened. And last weekend my prayers for my son’s future bride changed to prayers for my new daughter-in-law.

It all began, though, with a rehearsal, just as most weddings do. Those in the wedding came together to run through it at the selected location, which in this case was a beautiful estate complete with woods, rolling hills, two ponds, several fountains, homes, and a lawn just right for 150 bales of hay (seating).

After filling up on pizza, everyone received instructions and took their places. The four young children did exactly as directed, and the “preacher,” our Nelson, reviewed the order of service with bride and groom. The sound man tried his equipment, and Birgitta practiced the song she would sing.

Spirits ran high, and even little Emerald happily watched the proceedings. Although an untimely rain constantly threatened, everyone proceeded as if it didn’t, hoping the ceremony wouldn’t end up in the barn.

Much of life can be rehearsed beforehand. We can make plans to research how situations will most likely go. We can role-play, troubleshoot, and do dry runs in an effort to be prepared for what’s around the corner.

But some things can’t be anticipated and take us by surprise. An argument. A diagnosis. An accident. A break-up. We wish we’d known ahead of time so we could have gotten ready, but there we were, exposed and unprepared.

God offers to help in times like these. Nothing takes him by surprise, and because of that he is always prepared. He has already seen what’s ahead and wants to soften the blow for us if we’ll let him. All we have to do is ask.

Brooke and Klaus worked hard to prepare for their rehearsal, which then prepared them for their wedding the next day. And because they planned to move into their marriage arm-in-arm with the Lord, any surprises that can’t be rehearsed ahead of time shouldn’t threaten them. Since their God is always prepared, they won’t have to worry.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

A Busy Week

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Margaret

During the final week before a wedding, responsibilities in- crease, especially for the bride and groom. But they aren’t the only ones. Extended family begins cleaning house and changing sheets to ready for company, and airport runs become frequent. Refrigerators are stocked, and wedding clothes are pressed. Excitement mounts, and at the end of it, God unites a man and woman in the amazing partnership of marriage.

Our family is 6 days away from Klaus and Brooke’s ceremony, close enough to be checking our iPhones every hour to see if the rain has been eliminated from Saturday’s forecast yet, since they plan an outdoor wedding. There’s much to do, and our out-of-towners begin arriving today.

“Happy chaos” will be the theme of the week, as it is for every family planning a wedding, but the joining of two individuals and also their families is the delightful reason beneath the hubbub.

All of my children will be on hand to celebrate, as well as son-in-law Adam and half of my grandchildren. Hans will be coming from England without his family, since his 4^th child, little Andrew Kenneth, is only 2 weeks old. But I’m thankful he said “yes” to being his brother’s Best Man and that Katy said “yes” too!

One other family member who will be missing this week is Nate. I know his absence will feel big, but I also know the Lord will provide many reasons for rejoicing throughout Klaus and Brooke’s special day, even if some of it might be done through a tear or two.

Knowing God will be present and active throughout that day will be my greatest joy. After all, marriage is his invention, and when a couple ties the knot, his Spirit is keenly involved in that process. I know the Lord already has some special wedding gifts of a spiritual nature prepared for that day, certainly for the bride and groom, but for the rest of us, too.

Since the week promises to be extra busy, I’m going to do something I haven’t done since starting this blog 4 years ago: I’m going to take the week off.

You readers are always on my mind and in my prayers (and will continue to be this week), and it’s pure pleasure to write these blog posts. But I know my place is with my family this week, particularly since we are rarely together across the many miles between us.

So, thank you for your understanding, and I’ll get back to you in a week with a summary of all that happened, both spiritually and otherwise. As you go into your own busy week, know that I’ll be missing you.

”I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Marriage Preparation

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Margaret

When a girl becomes engaged, she starts down a unique path that will never be repeated. After she receives a ring of commitment from her future husband, she moves through her last months as a single, focusing on becoming prepared to marry.

Part of that is the pleasure of receiving gifts for the new home-to-be. Today we had the fun of attending a Chicago bridal shower for our son Klaus’ bride-to-be, Brooke. Over scrumptious chicken salad we watched her open dishes and other items she and Klaus will need as they begin married life on June 22.

Brooke had never met many of those attending today’s shower (friends of mine), which might be tense for some brides. But she smiled through answering many questions as guests happily became acquainted with her. If she was stressed, it didn’t show, and she charmed us all.

When a bride and groom come together in marriage, it’s never just about the two individuals but is the union of two extended families. In recent months as we’ve been celebrating with Brooke and Klaus, our family and friends have been getting to know Brooke’s family and friends, and both groups are finding their worlds expanding to include the other. This phenomenon is one of the enchanting byproducts of doing marriage God’s way.

Today’s devotional thoughts were brought to us through Connie, a friend of mine since we were both in diapers. She compared two weddings: the one that will happen on June 22, and the one God is planning (for those who love him) at the end of the age. Scripture uses the symbolism of a wedding to help us understand the close relationship Jesus longs to have with us. He will be the groom, and we, the church, will be his bride. There will be a wedding feast the likes of which we’ve never seen, and he encourages us to look forward to it, even now, as he is preparing for it.

Connie said, “Brooke, there may be little things that go wrong on your wedding day, but as the Bride of Christ you will one day experience a perfect wedding. Earthly marriage may include set-backs, but marriage to Jesus as “The Lamb of God” will be flawless. It will be everything every bride hopes for in a relationship, without a single misunderstanding or mistake.

These thoughts got us all thinking. No marriage can be perfect. All husbands and wives get frustrated with each other at some point and experience disappointment. But the future bridegroom, Jesus, is already in love with Brooke and Klaus and wants their marriage to succeed so it can be an example of his future marriage to the church. So even before they get started, he has already made himself available for assistance, should their path ever need smoothing.