When Heaven Comes Down to Earth

There are reasons, multitudes of reasons, that one of the primary images God gives us to help us picture the fulfillment of the deepest longings of our souls, is that of an eternal marriage feast.  We long for beauty, for joy, for music, for community.  We want to reunite with those who are gone from our hearts, or gone from our lives.  We long for intimacy.  We want to know for sure that a good, holy, wise God has faithfully and lovingly superintended the details of our lives, working all things for our good and His glory.

And when we receive these gifts in this lifetime, however imperfectly, it seems fitting to celebrate them with food and wine and laughter and dance.

Maybe even with feather boas.

I've been talking about my daughter's wedding for some weeks (months?) here in this space, and I beg your indulgence as I'm likely to go on yet for a few more days.  Ann Voskamp, virtual mentor to many of us in blog world, has said that writing helps her to live an event twice.  I think I need to take some time to re-live the events of the past few days, to take a closer look at the details, to see the deeper contours of God's goodness and faithfulness to my daughter and to my family.

Because her wedding was beautiful.  And I feel so blessed by so many and so much.

And that's where I am On, In, and Around this Monday.  And I'm adding to my list of gifts, though I can't possibly begin to count them all.

  

 

(And to so many who have commented in recent days, I beg your forgiveness for not responding.  Know that your words have been life-giving food for my soul, and I am grateful for them.  And for you.)

719.  Wedding snow, falling from heaven, freshening up the ground, making everything beautiful, and coming at just the right time.

720.  Artists--in word, music, pen and paper and paint, even in flowers—doing what they were put on this earth to do, creating beauty, and so imitating the Creator.

721.  Rock star diva, cancer survivor, beautiful friend singing In Christ Alone, My Hope is Found at daughter’s wedding, accompanied by my handsome son, fulfilling a dream we’ve shared since baby girl was five.

721.  Dancing pink glove dance to celebrate the healing work of the Great Physician in friend’s life. 

 

722.  Being escorted down the aisle by handsome son.

723.  Who also danced with me.

724.  Husband who worked long and hard and planned and saved to give the gift of this day to his baby girl.

725.  Seeing them talk and dance and laugh together.

726.  Friends from many times and many places in life, coming together to celebrate with us; knowing that we will all celebrate together again in eternity.

727.  Flowers from far-away friends who wanted to be present with us and share our joy.

728.  Being with all my siblings and our mother for the first time since father’s funeral, eighteen years ago.

729.  Pastor moved by the joy of officiating at marriage ceremony of covenant child he baptized.

730.  A married daughter.

731.  A new son.

732.  Providence, which is God’s good gift and His “…most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions,” being the basis of our day of celebration.  (Westminster Shorter Catechism)