Part 2 – The Preparation
Ephesians 5:25b-27 (NLT)
He gave up his life for her, to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
After Horace’s proposal of marriage to me, there were preparations to be made. Our wedding date was set for July 7, 1979, just six months after our engagement. We had to find a venue, buy rings, plan food, send invitations, find our wedding apparel, arrange for flowers, and other details that I’ve forgotten now. I’ve never been very good with the details of planning events, so I was immediately overwhelmed!
Thankfully, there were friends and family who immediately stepped in to help with all of the logistics, donating their time and expertise for things like our wedding cake, appetizers, and decorating the venue. My mother was an excellent seamstress, and agreed to make my wedding dress. Her friend was a tailor, and made my husband’s suit. In the end, everything came together, with the incredible help we received.
Horace and I took time writing down who we wanted to invite, and hand written invitations were sent out. Our list was small, but we wanted to make sure we included our closest friends and family. My best friend, the one who had introduced me to Jesus, was my maid of honor, and my husband’s best man, Bill, was one of his closest friends. We did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Honestly, I really didn’t know about such things yet, as our wedding was the first wedding I had ever attended.
Horace and I spent a lot of time together during our engagement, making future plans, getting to know each other, and growing closer to one another in friendship. The more time we spent together, the more we looked forward to our wedding day, when we would be together for the rest of our lives. Time seemed to stand still – Six months seemed like an eternity!
Similarly, we are being prepared for our wedding feast in our upcoming marriage to the Lamb. During this period of engagement, we get to know Jesus more and more each day. Like Gomer, we have often wandered, but our bridegroom continues to pursue us, cherish us, transform our hearts.
Life’s troubles often shake us in this now-and-not-yet world, but our bridegroom, King Jesus, does not abandon us. He gives us the strength and wisdom we need when our faith is challenged, lighting the way when our discouragement grows so great, that our vision dims. As in the story of Hosea, He continues to seek intimacy and relationship with us, even when our faith is challenged, purifying us and transforming us into His pure and spotless virgin bride.
Every day, my heart grows with anticipation for our wedding day, longing to know Him fully. I am His beautiful fiancé. And so are you!
Wife to Horace. Mom to eight, all boys except for seven of them! Grandma to fifteen and counting. Retired doula and childbirth educator.