Talk about letting the tears flow ...

After working diligently on making myself look younger and more appealing -- with my new Mary Kay makeup (which I love) -- I headed off to one of my closest friend's wedding. So much for the makeup!

A bit of background: I work with single, pregnant girls and other wounded women who are healing from broken and often violent relationships. My career path, ministry, and personal experiences have slowly corroded my opinion of men and even marriage. I guess I've become rather cynical about marriage and relationships, wondering, can they really work in this day and age?

God created marriage as a covenant relationship between a husband and a wife, a man and a woman -- a love relationship that mirrors His unconditional love for us. Unfortunately, the world has polluted marriage. All we have to do is turn on a nightly drama or "family" sitcom to watch the distorted examples of married couples. Oh, let's not forget those daytime soaps. Yikes!

Because of all these very things ...

          1. Seeing many, many failed and abusive relationships

          2. Media portrayals of relationships and marriage

          3. My own not-so-wonderful past relationships

I've come to expect the worst. This is rather embarrasing to admit as a supposedly sold-out-for-Christ Christian. Marriage is a beautiful, God-honoring covenant, if the man and woman place Christ center stage in their relationship.

Today, God reminded me just how much He loves His children and gives us marriage as a gift. Here's what happened ...

The tiny country church had a gold-plated plaque near the entrance. This quaint building had been in service since the 1850s. Its simple yet classice decor, surrounded by a grassy field and towering trees reminded me a a chapel from Little House on the Prairie. Only seating about 60 or so people, the atmosphere was decidedly intimate. I could practically feel the anticipation and joy amongst the guests, many whom I was familiar with.

The groom and pastor stood tall on the small stage and waited expectantly for the bride while a singer praised God using her incredible vocal talents. Suddenly, time stood still, all heads turned to the door. There she was, my dear friend, Michelle -- her eyes shimmering with tears as she gazed expectantly toward her husband-to-be.

My tears started right about then, but it only got worse as I turned to glance at the groom. His bottom lip began to tremble, his hands shook, and his eyes misted than spilled -- tears of love. As these two locked eyes, I could sense God's approval and presense in a profound way. This groom was utterly enthralled by his beautiful bride. He had eyes for her alone, and she glowed, basking in his loving approval. Ahhhhh...

I cried. I cried. I cried some more. Wiped my eyes. Looked for a Kleenex. Cried. Worked hard not to sob. Watched other people cry.

Friends, in that moment, I had a glimpse of just how much our Heavenly King loves us. He truly is the Lover of our Souls. Throughout the Bible, Christ is compared to a groom coming for his beloved bride -- the church. This symbolism was not lost on me during today's ceremony. God wants us to have eyes for Him alone, just as my friends had eyes only for each other. Nothing could have kept them apart, as nothing should keep us from God. He is waiting, like the groom --His hands extended, waiting for us to step willingly into His eternal embrace.

What are you waiting for? Maybe you're a bit like me and have seen too much pain and heartache to remember what a real, godly marriage looks like. Or, maybe you cannot imagine a holy God loving you after ... __________ you fill in the blank. Friend, His love is everlasting, unceasing, and eternal. Won't you run to Him right now?

At the end of time as we know it, there is going to be the biggest wedding feast the cosmos has ever seen. God's church, His bride, will experience the fullness of their relationship with Christ. What a day that will be. When I find my love for God and others dwindling, which at times happens, I plan to remember the look on the faces of Ken and Michelle as they proclaimed their love for each other just as God looks upon us with His unfathamable grace and love.

Bring you burdens to God. Lay your sin at the foot of the cross. Jesus died so we wouldn't have to live beneath the weight of our mistakes. Trade your sin and sorrow for the joy available as Christ's "bride." Amen!

Lord,

Please bless my friends' marriage. May they experience new levels of joy and intimacy with each other and with you. For those reading this who have pain in their marriages, or who have become disilusioned, please renew their hope in You and in their relationships. Marriage is an incredible gift, but can also become a burden if You aren't in the middle, keeping love fresh, alive, and focused first and foremost on You. Please, if someone reading this is considering calling it quits in their marriage, remind them of their wedding day, when they were overflowing with dreams for tomorrow. Give them courage to seek help to help their relationship. May they cry out to You and seek support before making a life-altering decision. Please bless the marriages of anyone who reads this post. Ignite in them a new passion and intimacy, renew their love.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing us what love is about. We love you, Lord!