A Wedded Reminder

I am sitting at a beautiful book store dubbed coffee shop in Tuscumbia, Alabama. It's called Cold Water Books.   We are in this town because, today we get to witness one of my husband's friend get married to his beautiful fiancé.  Mark is a groomsman in the wedding.

Getting to go to rehearsals, rehearsal dinners, and weddings is a beautiful reminder of what marriage is truly all about.

MARRIAGE is a daily reminder to me that we are all imperfect people in need of grace from our spouse.

MARRIAGE is a daily reminder that there is no way that i can fulfill every thing that my spouse wants or needs.

MARRIAGE is a daily reminder that there is a longing in my soul to be loved and to be cherished.

MARRIAGE is a daily reminder that i am far too self-consumed.

MARRIAGE is a daily reminder that MARRIAGE is not about me and it is not about my spouse.

MARRIAGE is about surrendering and committing your life to your spouse, forever and ever regardless of situations.

MARRIAGE is about the beautiful reality that jesus loved us so much that he laid his life down for us, the most perfect husband.

MARRIAGE is about seeing ourselves the way christ sees us: spotless, blameless, walking down an aisle in pure white to meet him.

MARRIAGE is a daily reminder that in our imperfections and short-comings and self-centeredness, that we have a savior that desires to love us and forgive us and be with us forever and ever, with not even one promise broken, to fill every longing heart, regardless of who we are or what we have done.

MARRIAGE: we are the bride of christ.

Last night a man was giving a speech to the soon-to-be newlyweds.  What he said really stuck with me, as tears filled my eyes.

"May the gospel always be as beautiful as [the bride] is walking down the aisle in that moment.  may the gospel always be as strong and sturdy in your life as [the groom] is standing there waiting for you at the alter. "

As you walk through marriage, or into marriage, or confused in marriage, or just patiently waiting for marriage, may the gospel be represented in your life.