She stood on the platform in
glistening white. The mirrors surrounding her exposed the sweeping train
trailing behind trimmed in tiny pearls and sparkling with sequins. She was so
beautiful and so innocent. The sight of her took my breath away and brought
tears to my eyes.
“Oh, Mama,” my daughter
exclaimed, her face reflecting uncertainty. “Will Jonathan think I’m
beautiful?”
My first daughter to marry. No
words could describe this moment or the emotion I felt at letting her go.
Finally, the words pushed past the lump in my throat. I reached for her, taking
her in my arms and embracing her. And we cried. Right there in the middle of
the bridal shop with other mothers and daughters, brides maids, and boyfriends
passing by. I didn’t care. This was our special moment.
“Oh, Michelle. If only you knew
how beautiful you are! All Jonathan will be able to say is ‘Wow!’ I pulled back
and held her at arms’ length, admiring the beautiful dress. I looked into her
eyes. “But even more than how beautiful you look in this dress is how beautiful
you are on the inside—your sweet and gentle spirit. That’s what Jonathan really
sees and what he will be treasuring when you walk down the aisle to meet him at
the altar.”
In the days leading up to the
wedding, Michelle and I often talked about how Jesus, our beloved bridegroom,
would one day step out of heaven at His Father’s command, “Go get your bride,
Son!”
Michelle’s subsequent trip down
the aisle in gleaming white was just a precious reminder of how our Lord views
each one of His children who are covered by His blood. Pure. Spotless. Perfect.
We may feel anything but perfect, but as we stand in the righteousness of
Christ, the Father declares us spotless, because when He looks at us, He only
sees the Son.
One day our relentless Lover will erase all care and stress. We will see the
Prince we only dream about on this side. He’s preparing a magnificent marriage
supper for those who love Him.
Kinda sounds like a fairy tale,
doesn’t it? But the beautiful thing is, it’s true! The most real thing that
ever was! Those who trust in His relentless love will not be disappointed when
the Father says, “Go get your bride, Son!”