As you "wedding" plan for everything that will happen and everything that might happen, and everything you hope won't happen, your mind can experience OVERLOAD!!
Everyone that has experienced a wedding day has a story to tell of some unexpected event either leading up to the day or actually on the day. We had a few challenges at our wedding, but one will forever stand out in my mind.
A local caterer had offered a contest during our engagement for a free wedding cake. We were thrilled to receive the call that my name had been drawn as the winner. Expecting the winner would hire the caterer for the entire reception was clearly the intention for the contest. But, hey, I got married in 1984 when most weddings were in the church and most receptions were in the Fellowship Hall with cake, nuts, mints and punch! Regardless of their disappointment in our decision, the caterer sent one lady to deliver our cake... 3 tiers and 4 small cakes to surround them - the picture I was shown had ribbons and flowers galore!
So my mother and I met her at the back door. As she began to take the pieces out of her car, my panic set in! I watched as it bobbled side to side, and then SPLAT! Two of the small cakes AND the second tier of the cake covered the parking lot next to her car. She just dropped my wedding cake... I was speechless and devastated. My sweet mama took one look at the crumbled cake, one look at the cake lady, then one look at me. She quietly told me to "go get ready and that she would handle everything."
Almost thirty years later I clearly remember walking into the church, still in a bit of shock, but knowing for sure without any hesitation that my mom would take care of everything. As I ponder why I felt so sure, it is an easy answer. My mother had always been trustworthy. Her character was impeccable - I knew she would be gracious. Her voice was both constant and familiar. In times of triumph and in times of challenge, she was always there, always reassuring, always available. I know my mother well... when I see her number on my cell phone, I look forward to our conversation with anticipation. Not always is there any major news or discussion, just a comforting intimate connection. Like any effective parent, she and my Dad didn't "fix" every situation I got myself into. Sometimes the better option was to allow me to learn through the challenge as they kept a watchful eye and offered coaching and encouragement.
You'll notice there are 3, not 4 tiers and 1, not 3 smaller accent cakes... but no one except my mom and I knew of the momentary disaster... She took care of everything... she cared for me!
Hmm.. friends, isn't that just like our Heavenly Father. Do you know HIS voice well enough to hear it above all the noise? Do you anticipate your time to chat with HIM? Have you realized that HE is trustworthy even if you don't "feel" it at this very moment? Do you know HIS character well? Do you understand how rich HIS grace is? How deeply HE loves you?
HE promised all of this to you, as HIS beloved! Spend just a few moments with me remembering HIS great love for you!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. 2 Chronicles 30:9
...may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19
...and his sheep follow him because they know His voice. John 10:4
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
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