To the Bride who is ready to elope!

   I hit it. That point in wedding planning where I started to loathe the process. From craft projects, to food choices, to guest inviting people not on the list; yes I'm ready to elope. What started out as fun, crafts, dreams coming true has now turned into the thing in my life that I want to procrastinate even more so then laundry!

   Worries have started to settle in my mind taking the place of excitement and expectation. People asking a totally logical question or offering helpful advice feels more like a huge boulder added on top of my already toppling mountain that I've been carrying around. It's not them, it's me. And if I don't get rid of the load, I will not make it to my wedding day.

   My problem is fear. Fears of regret, that I will make decisions that 10 years from now will make me want to smack myself upside the head. Fears that I won't have enough for ALLLLLL these people that see our wedding day as something they can't miss out on! (tell me why do we have to be so popular!?!?!?!) Fears that things won't turn out as I'm planning them. Fears that it will rain! Stupid stupid fear!

  So yesterday, I got sick of fear. I went to God about the wedding. He reminded me of a wedding that Jesus went to. The one that marked His ministry. The one where they ran out of wine and He made more! He reminded me that Jesus also calmed a huge storm. (Why am I worried again?) He reminded me of Isaiah 45:2-3 which tells me "He is going before me and making the rough places smooth. Shattering the gates of bronze and cutting their iron bars. He is giving me the treasures of darkness and the hidden wealth of secret places because I have made Him my God and He knows me by my name!". He reminded me that it's just a day. My marriage is what matters. He reminded me that I know how to make good decisions and He trust me to make the right ones but even if I fall short on a decision I have Isaiah 45:2-3 to fall back on. And then as I was talking things out with my future husband (whom God then reminded me why I love Him so much), Corey pointed out that there is a reason all these people are coming to our wedding. That's when God changed my complete idea of what this wedding is about.

   God has given Corey and I a day where we can stand in front of close family, extended family, friends, friends of friends, and allow them the honor of staring at a miracle. They get to witness the very work of God as Corey and I vow to each other to honor and serve one another. They get to witness us paint a picture of Jesus, just as He laid down His life for us, we get to lay down our lives for each other. We get to surround our guest with the very love of Christ as we show love towards one another just as Christ showed love towards us. This wedding is not just about me, it's a way for God to work through me by using the testimony Corey and I have. We would not be where we are without Christ and we want Him to be the center of this day. By coming to this wedding, our guest won't just see Corey and I get married, they will see Jesus Himself.

  My perspective has completely changed for this day. It is no longer about looking back and making sure I don't regret my decisions. It's no longer about what hair style I have or what the centerpieces look like. It's about being a picture of Christ for our family and friends and giving them the chance to encounter the One who has made this all possible. God has brought us together not to put on a party, but to glorify Himself. With that thought in mind, my mountain has melted away and I feel the freedom to move forward in confidence that He will make this day far more then I can ever imagine. I will fix my eyes on Him, the One who has caused all things to work together for our good. I want to look back 10 years from now and remember how many people encountered Christ because of one day. THAT my friends, is my dream wedding.