On a very few occasions, I’ve honestly declared that when I get to heaven I’m not sure if I’ll first hug or slug my Hubby. Those who know me best don’t react with laughter but rather an understanding nod. So much of Hubby’s and my most treasured, family milestones remained in our 3B’s lives, when Hubby was called home to heaven. High on those precious moments’ list were the weddings of our three children. Our final “B” crossed this threshold two weeks ago.
Wanting to feel her daddy close, Brooke chose a garden wedding. With Covid commandeering almost every significant aspect of the day, a garden was the perfect venue. I prayed for both God, and Hubby, to lead. They did. Following their lead to the Ivy Place in Lancaster, S.C., we met not only the Graham Family (the Ivy Place’s Christian proprietors), but also, their God centered wedding planner, Miss Lisa. Be it the expected little hiccup along the way or unexpected more major pitfall, Miss Lisa would offer prayer and then find the needed “soul”ution.
As the months and weeks turned into days before the wedding, Bride Brooke naturally began to focus on what was beyond her hands – the weather. Miss Lisa kept repeating: God already has seen your wedding day, and what He sees is filled with His blessing and love. No matter the weather, God has blessed your day, and it will be beautiful.
The final days before the nuptials, the forecast went back and forth from dim to dimmer. Would the whole event be forced to take place beneath the cathedral windowed reception tent, or would Brooke make her vows surrounded by flowers like her master gardener daddy loved to grow? The call would be made at last minute possible, but prayers were ongoing. First and foremost, Miss Lisa prayed Brooke would see God’s blessing. Brooke prayed for God’s wedding presen”T” of the ceremony and hor d’oeuvres taking place amidst the gardens and everyone in the shelter of the reception tent before the spring storm rolled through. I prayed, no matter what was meant to be, God would be on hand and orchestrate it all according to His will and way and enable Brooke to celebrate her wedding day as such. I added the imploration for God to help Brooke feel her earthly daddy’s attendance standing beside her Heavenly Father the entire day.
Three hours before the ceremony, and with the latest radar reports available, Miss Lisa made the call. Chairs would be set up in the Main House garden and hor d’oeuvres tables in the garden immediately behind and closest to the reception tent.
Brooke received her hoped for wedding presen”T” from God. The skies were clear as she made her vows. As guests enjoyed hor d’oeuvres, wedding pictures were captured surrounded by vibrant hues of colorful petals and majestic leaves. However, this was not the message, nor the miracle, of the day.
The bell beckoning all to make their way to dinner under the beautifully chandeliered tent was heard. Immediately, upon the last soul entering the tent, torrential rain poured down. As most Spring storms, though fierce, it passed through quickly. Beyond ecstatic, my heart and soul rejoiced: Praise, God, He’s changed His wedding presen”T” into His wedding presen”CE”!!!
Let’s ponder this. Suppose the entire wedding celebration had been spared the wrath of Mother Nature. Wouldn’t we all, then, been thanking Mother Nature for beautiful, wedding day weather? However, Brooke’s day was not Mother Nature’s gift but her Father God’s presen”T”. What’s more, did not God change the “T” of His presen”T” to the “CE” of His presen”CE” when the storm unleashed – but only after fulfilling Brooke’s wish for all to be within the reception tent? Was not God’s power and presen”CE” personified in the timing of, and protection from, the storm? Might I add, if we don’t see God in the little things of life, how are we to feel Him in the big things our lives encounter?
God’s timing is not only perfect but, more importantly, revealing. Not Mother Nature but Father God is in control. God roars His presen”CE” in our lives. Why do so many not hear Him or, worse yet, fail to even see Him on their radar screen? As for me, I heard and saw God soar and roar on Brooke’s wedding day. “He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man!” Psalm 107:29-31 (ESV)
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 