She stared at the reflection she saw in the mirror.
The house was alive with laughter and women’s voices. She had a few minutes alone to reflect on all the preparation that went into this day. It had to be perfect.
Invitations were filled out and sent. The reception hall was decorated. The menu and drink selections were carefully chosen. Lights, music, flowers, cake and color schemes were all finalized and in place.
Looking into her own eyes in that mirror, she started applying the special makeup the associate at the department store counter had recommended. The dress she’d picked out with her mother and bridesmaids hung, covered in plastic, on the top of the doorframe. It’s brilliant white color was softened by the overlay of delicate lace. The tiny pearls embedded in the skirt reflected the window’s sunlight.
A soft knock at the door, and her mother came into the room to help with the floor length dress and the six foot train. She stepped into the dress so her hair, just braided and curled two hours ago, wouldn’t be disturbed. Finally, the veil was brought over to her. It was the same one her mother wore, and her grandmother too. The Spanish-style comb with the seed pearls slid on the crown of her head, while the netting fell around her shoulders.
Her mother’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her little girl. But her daughter’s thoughts were far away. “Will all these preparations be enough? Will I look beautiful for him? Have I done everything I could to make this day the most meaningful of our lives?”
Leaving the bedroom with her mother, she joined her father and chirping bridesmaids for pictures in the garden. It seems to take forever. At last, it was time to go to church.
The music had started by the time they all arrived. The bridesmaids fell into a line, and started down the aisle to the front of the church. Holding her father’s arm, she narrowed her eyes, straining to see her bridegroom. What would he think? Spilling over with excitement, she floated along with her father onto the white runner that led to her beloved. All eyes turned to see the bride. But she only had eyes for him.
The wedding day was as perfect as she had hoped. She knew she’d love him forever; “til death do us part.”
She’s not thinking about it now, but there will be another wedding in her future. Someday, she’ll be a bride again when Jesus comes; her bridegroom. All of us will have that experience. I guess you could say we’re in a time of wedding preparation right now. Instead of make-up, menus, and tuxes, the focus is on good works, good words, and love.
Oh, I think they’ll be plenty of wedding jitters when that day comes. It’s only natural. I’m sure Jesus will hear more than one person whisper to him, just like she did, “Were all my preparations enough?”
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
What a beautiful picture you paint for us, Ceil! I could just visualize the entire scene!
Best of all when we meet our Brdegroom, Jesus, we can run to Him with a thankful heart for His redeeming sacrifice is all the preparation we need. Great post, Ceil.
Hi Pam! Thank you for your kind words about the post!
I like the idea of running, let that veil fly! I know I will be just in awe, and so thankful that I said ‘I do.’ I just hope that I did enough.
Blessings!
Ceil
TRULY beautiful! I long for my wedding day and to catch sight of Him!
Hi Lulu! Thanks a lot my friend. Won’t that be an amazing scene? Have you heard that song “I Can Only Imagine”? I really agree with that.
I just know it’s going to be better than I can ever imagine. Something to strive and look forward to!
Have a restful night,
Ceil
This is simply awesome, Ms. Ceil! HOPE you’ve had a great SONday….and you have an awesome week!
Hi Deb! Awww, thanks. It reminds me of all the wedding days I have been a part of, including mine and my daughters. Only a shadow of the final one 🙂
You have a great week too!
Ceil
So sweet – guess I am not the only one with weddings on the mind : ) And so true, we have yet another one to look forward to and our forever home waiting.
Hi Mindy! You are so right! I didn’t think of it, but this fits nicely with the photos of your daughter’s wedding 🙂
I think we are all looking forward to that last wedding day. That will be some wedding feast, don’t you think?
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Ceil, I don’t know how you do it. Your posts feel so lighthearted, yet each one touches me so deeply at the same time. I never want your posts to end. This one may be one of my very favorites. It surely gives me something to think about, prepare for, and look forward to. Thank you, my friend.
Have a wonderful day.
Hi Kathleen! How nice to see you here! Thank you for your kind words about this post. I think it’s one of my favorites too. Our wedding days are such beautiful memories aren’t they? And to think the best one is to come…
Have a restful night, and a terrific Tuesday!
Ceil
What a beautiful picture of the bride being ready for her bridegroom. We need to be ready and watch eagerly for Him.
Hi Lauren! And like this bride, I hope I’m busy enough making sure everything is perfect. Well, as perfect as I can possible be for a human!
Thank you for your kind words today. Have a great Monday 🙂
Ceil
I wish I could write like this. Simply wonderful.
I have put this on my Google + page for others to read.
God bless.
Hi Victor! Thank you so much for your encouragement, it means a lot coming from an author like you. How generous of you to share this with your Google+ friends!
Thank you for your constant support and blog-friendship Victor.
Blessings,
Ceil
Ceil, this is a perfect analogy of our future wedding and the preparations that should be happening in our lives.
God bless.
Hi Brenda! Thank you for visiting today, it’s nice to see you!
Thank you for your lovely words about the post. It’s wonderful to think about the day our Bridegroom comes. I think he’s looking forward to it too!
Have a great Monday 🙂
Ceil
Ceil,
This brought tears to my eyes. So lovely!
I just recently read a book on Soeur Therese de Lisieux. She was such a beautiful bride of Christ.
Blessings to you.
Winter
Hi Winter! Thank you for your kind comment about the blog post. I appreciate it 🙂
I agree about St. Therese of Lisieux. So young, but so wise. She was named a Doctor of the Church! I know she was a bride for Christ. Thank you for reminding me of her.
Have a great Monday!
Ceil
What a great analogy. I how I pray God’s church will ready herself.
I can’t control what others do or don’t do, but I am responsible for what God has placed before me. I pray I make the most of the time He has given me to prepare for His coming!
Great post.
Hi TC! How nice to see you here!
I will join you in your prayer. All I can do is take advantage of the opportunities to love him and his people. It’s a tall order, but I’m willing to keep trying!
Have a good afternoon,
Ceil
What a beautiful post! Such a blessing to my heart. :O)
Hi Lisa! So great to see you again 🙂
I’m so glad you liked the post today. Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it.
Have a great afternoon!
Ceil
A lovely word picture, dear. I look more and more forward with joy to the wedding day of the Lamb and His bride–come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Hi Jeanette! Thank you for your kind comment Jeanette!
I look forward to it too, what a joyful celebration that will be! I just pray that I will do enough here to make him happy 🙂
Blessings,
Ceil
This was simply beautiful. I got a little teared up, just thinking about it all. I’m just glad that because of Jesus’ forgiveness, I get to wear a white dress to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb!!
What a glorious day that will be! And yes, it’s good to think about it, for we must live every day as if this is the one on which He will return. For after all, He just might! We need to be ready…
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! You are so right, we don’t know the day or the hour.
That will be such a joyful day, seeing the Bridegroom face to face! It’s a great thing to think about…and as you say, prepare for too.
Have a peaceful evening my friend,
Ceil
Good morning, Ceil! I am way behind on my blog reading but here I am this morning, enjoying your post. It makes me think of a Bible study we were privileged to attend in Florida that was on Revelation. The teacher talked about the wedding feast of the lamb and how wonderful it will be….and we are invited! Love it!
Hi Susan! Thank you for visiting today 🙂
We are all invited, that is so true. I pray that I’ll be smart enough to accept, and to live a life that is worthy of that invitation.
Sounds like a great study of a difficult book in the bible!
Have a great day,
Ceil
Thank you for this vivid narrative, Ceil! May we be prepared and keep our first love to the day He comes!
Hi Nina! What a wonderful prayer! I’ll join you in praying that I will prepare myself well. So glad you liked it Nina 🙂
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Your wedding day word pictures were just beautiful! Every bride feels these emotions and the connection to Jesus, our bridegroom, was just lovely. I know the same butterflies and questions will be in our hearts that day, but oh how magnificent it will be. You are a gift my friend! Blessings!
Hi Mary! Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate them!
I think you’re right, it’s easy to connect to the idea of ‘bride’. Jesus really knows what comparisons will strike a chord inside, doesn’t he? What a wedding day we have ahead of us 🙂
Have a restful night,
Ceil
Beautifully written! Weddings are an exciting but scary time! The marriage is the important part.
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for your encouragement!
It will be an amazing day when we all meet our eternal Bridegroom. I think you’re right, I’ll be excited and scared 🙂
Blessings,
Ceil
I was scared and excited on my wedding day…I can only imagine how awesome of a feeling I/we will have on that perfect day. Your post is beautifully written.♥
Hi Dee! Oh man, I was so scared on my wedding day too. My husband couldn’t believe how shaky I was coming down the aisle. It’s a HUGE commitment!
But now I’ll be ready for my next big day with Jesus. I’ll be scared, but I’ll be so happy too 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment about the writing. I really appreciate it!
Ceil
Late reading this but so beautiful. What a great comparison. I will think of this the next wedding I attend. Thanks!
Hi Jean! Thank you for your kind words Jean. I think I’ll be looking at weddings in a different way too.
Always nice to see you 🙂
Ceil