“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
– Psalm 126:3
My Precious Emily,
Look what God has done!
Tomorrow is your Wedding Day….it is FINALLY almost here!
I’ve been trying to imagine what that day will be like from my “Mom’s Heart” perspective. I’ve imagined it in my mind….. my hope and prayer has been that the day doesn’t fly by too quickly, that I take several times throughout the day to “take a snapshot” in my heart and mind, adding it to my collection of the many memories I have treasured up all these years and pondered in my heart. There are so very many treasures to thank God for!
There was that exciting time one Christmas Eve, when your dad had to spring into action because you were ready to come into the world early. I thought you might be a New Year’s baby, but God brought you into the world on the day humankind celebrates the birth His Son, Jesus. You were the sweetest Christmas present!
By God’s grace, I’d run a fever during labor, and they rushed you off quickly to take care of you. My heart hurt so badly when we had to leave you in the hospital to be treated for strep B for a week! I didn’t know Jesus then, but I’m sure I was thankful to God for sparing your life. His graciousness allowed time to watch you grow into the incredible young woman you’ve become and bring great joy to your dad’s & my hearts!
You loved to play, and you loved to sing and paint! Tea parties, puzzles, Disney movies, princess gowns, finger paints, sandboxes, bubbles, Barney, Zoe, Elmo, Little Gym, ballet, soccer, times at the park, wagon rides, dress up, board games, American girl, cooking in your kitchen…you were a busy girl! I can still hear your sweet little voice belting out the songs from “Mulan!” J
You also loved to write….to this day, I find things you wrote: stories, diaries, journals, letters….I’m so sorry that darn tooth fairy never wrote back faithfully to you! And to this day you write as a blogger, an idea that was birthed the very year you were born….I love to read what God has laid on your heart!
Preschool, then kindergarten….
I remember your first day of kindergarten— you were SO READY for school! And that yellow bus showed up, and I wanted to chase after you and shout, “Wait! Bring her back! …and the house was quieter than it had been before… My little chatterbox was off to school, God readying you for so many wonderful plans He had…..Such things are tucked away in this mom’s heart.
Then there was elementary school, those middle school years our family calls the “lost“ years…(I promise, no pics!). Something had happened in your heart in those middle school years.….I believe that’s when you met and fell in love with Jesus, and began those first baby steps of following Him until high school came, in which some time in those years you decided to run His race for you passionately with all your heart.
It was such a special privilege for me to watch your faith in Jesus, your love for Jesus grow…to go with you on your first mission trip, when I remember standing back and watching you in that Consuelo school yard, laughing and playing with the children…I remember telling God, “I’m not sure what’s going on here, but I can see that you’re doing something special in her heart!” That’s clearly the day when God started preparing this Mama for the reality that one day her sweet girl would leave, and go out into the world God was leading you into, even then.
And then I remember driving away from Houghton when we dropped you off your freshman year…Fighting the instinct and desire to turn around and go back…. I remember thinking how strikingly similar that moment was to the moment I’d wanted to chase after that school bus the day you left for kindergarten…. moments like these are still tucked away in my mom’s heart.
Also, the many breakfast and lunch dates, college car rides, walks, concerts, nail times, beach walks, phone calls, and so on…. cherished and held safely in this mom’s heart.
I think back as I write this, and wonder like most parents, “Where did the time go?”
Nearing your college graduation my heart leapt for joy when God blessed you with your dream job, the job you told me you wouldn’t get, you couldn’t get—that’s so like our God!
And then I remember the time you told me about a special young man named Ben that you’d met in an unconventional way through a pastor’s twitter feed, and then the whirlwind of meeting face to face, courting, meeting parents, moving to the same city, engagement, wedding planning, wedding dress shopping, and Whew!…here we’ve arrived to your wedding day eve.
And so, my heart and mind goes back to how I imagine this day…..what a blessing to share it with you, it’s something I’m not taking for granted!
My heart skips a little, and I have to catch my breath when I think about turning around and seeing you down that aisle on the arm of your father….I know it’s all good, though, because I’ve seen Ben’s face as he looks at you, I see how he leads you, and cares for you, and I know he will cherish you as I’ve watched you respect him…..I know when I turn to see you in your wedding gown, that I’ve already seen Ben’s face when he’s entered the sanctuary, and I know that this is the day that the Lord has made, that only God could’ve made, because He is the good and gracious God who brought you together!
I’ve been thinking often these recent days about mom hearts, and when we hold that precious baby, or toddler or child or teen in our arms over the many seasons of life…joyful seasons and sorrowful seasons, and everything in between…. And so, the baby girl I held in my arms those many years ago is now about to be a beautiful bride, your life becoming united with Ben’s as you both unite with Christ! Loving one another as you journey through life with God going before you. There will be peaks and valleys, for sure, but starting this marriage journey with Jesus is the best way to travel! Remember that great is His faithfulness, and that praise God! His mercies are new every single morning. It is my heart cry that you will love and cherish one another in such a way that can only be done by relying on Christ in the midst of everyday life and seasons of struggle…. Remembering that God’s great purpose in our lives is to make us holy, not happy…. In times where you seem to be on separate sides, meet in the middle, where Jesus is! May both Ben & you lift your eyes, shift your eyes, however they need to move to the Mountain Mover who promises never to leave you or forsake you! It’s a promise you can take not only to the bank, but into Eternity. May your marriage bring much glory to your Savior, Jesus Christ!
This mom’s heart is full today. Full of love and overflowing with joy, ever grateful to God for all that He has done. May God richly bless you and Ben, my sweet and precious girl! I can’t wait to see where He will take the two of you together as you trust in Him!
Go? 