Thursday, November 27, 2008

Mr. and Mrs. Millender






I don't believe in fairy tales. But on November 15th I feel as if I played the leading part. I was the princess and my prince met me with an embrace of love. We took hands, we felt the sun shining on our face as friends and family surrounded us. I felt loved, so dearly loved. We danced, we smiled, and I felt beautiful. I smiled more that day than most days. It was glorious.

The morning started off very dreary and wet. I was very worried that the weather would not cooperate with my plans. Of course I had everything planned the way it needed to go. If you know me, you know that I had millions of checklists and delegated tasks for people. I even had plans for the weather. However, it was just like life to wake up to circumstances that were not what I had wanted. I prayed...thinking: Does God really care about the weather for this day? But I continually prayed and asked that His glory would be shown either way. As the day went on most of the plans seemed to come together, however, as I was getting in the car to go to the ceremony it was drizzling and dreary. I was still getting married outside even in a misty rain but I desired the sun. I took my pictures with my family and bridesmaids and we took them on the porch to avoid the raindrops. Then I went to my bridal room and waited...as the my groom arrived outside. It was 3:00 and I had no idea what was going on outside. As I waited and anticipated seeing my groom tons of thoughts ran through my head. I had not been nervous or even had time to think during the day. As my bridesmaids left to walk down the aisle, I was alone for what seemed like forever. I had a dear sweet lady, Jane Cartledge, see me and she prayed for me. I began to cry. Not because I was sad because the love of Jesus just ran over me. It showered me and for a minute the last two years of my life played back like a movie. I thought of God's love and faithfulness to me and how He had brought Michael, Hunter, and his family into my life and Elyse's. I thought about how God had done amazing and great things, not because He had to but because He loves me and His grace and blood covers me. I was quickly taken back as my dad came to walk me down the aisle. I knew that I would just cry once I saw the crowd, heard the music, and saw Michael. But I didn't cry. My eyes lit up and I couldn't keep the smile off of my face. I got down front and the first words out of my mouth were..." It is sunny." And I began to laugh. As a matter of fact, I laughed through the whole ceremony. I didn't shed one tear. I just briefly want to share why I laughed (it was not due to an excessive amount of wine before the ceremony:) . I laughed because I was just amazed with how God had shown up again, He made the sunshine on my wedding day at just the right time. It was like a kiss from heaven, His face shining down upon us, His blessings, His grace, His mercy, like I should of expected anything less. All of this washed over me, as I sang hymns of praise and made a lifetime covenant with God and my husband and my children. It just couldn't of been better. I couldn't of felt more beautiful. I couldn't of felt loved more by my family, my friends, my husband, and my God. He has pursued me and continues to. As much as the love of my husband makes me feel so worthy, the love of God is what really fulfills me to the core of my being...because I was made for this.