Lionheart

So it has gotten to be that time–the time when invitees, family, invitations, flowers, rentals, photography, contracts, etc all start to close in around us.  The stress of the minute details has a way of taking away from the true focus of what this special day is really about.

I have seen it too many times–individuals who are getting married succumb to the pressure and the stress of what is supposed to happen on their day to remember.  Money issues, who to invite, who not to invite, florists, photographers, etc–all get in the way of what the wedding is actually supposed to be about.

As Mel and I are in our period of engagement, we have begun to focus on the details of that special day.  I have seen how our plans have somewhat shifted–it is so easy to get caught up in all of the “junk” that comes with a wedding–all the minute, miniscule details that, quite frankly, in the grand scheme of things, don’t really matter.   Yes, flowers are important-yes, photography is important-yes, what invitations we choose is important, yet, it is so important to constantly check our focus.

Last night, Jesus really impressed upon me the purpose of this special day.  He has really broken Melissa and I down in our views of August 27th. He has shown us that even though this is our day–its not about us–it is all about Him.  Too many times in our society, a marriage ceremony is viewed as a big party–thats not the intention–it is a day set aside to commemorate what Jesus has done in the life of two individuals.  It is a day that should be Gospel-focused; a day that is focused on what He has done for us and through us by bringing us together.  The wedding–the two being joined together–is a perfect representation of Christ and His bride, the church.  When we view that day as a reflection of Jesus, everything else gets a perspective shift.

When we view August 27th as a day where the Gospel will be presented in an amazing way through a marriage–EVERYTHING pales in comparison.  Rental fees, photography, decorations, food, flowers–all pale in comparison to the fact that the sole purpose of this day is to bring glory and honor to Jesus.  Wow!  It is absolutely amazing–when we get the focus off of ourselves and onto Jesus we are then free to lay it all at His feet and respond in an attitude of worship.  When its done for His glory, we can rest in the fact that everything is going to fall into place–everything is going to work out.

When we step aside and give it too Him, we can rest in what He will do.

Ecclesiastes 3:11: He has made everything beautiful in its time.

These few words are so simple, yet so crucial to our lives as Followers of Christ. In our lives, it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day-to get caught up in our own timing.  It is in these times when we have to be patient and rest in the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit.  He specializes in leveraging us and putting us in the right place at the right time.  He definitely makes everything beautiful in its timing.

So Melissa Sue and I have been seeing each other for over three years.  I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this wonderful woman; however, I was not in a hurry.  I knew God would work things out in His timing. It was during the start of this year that I really started seeking Him as to the future of mine and Melissa’s relationship.  I remember getting alone and getting real with God.  I told God that if Melissa was the one that I was supposed to be with for the rest of my life that He would show me—and show me beyond a shadow of a doubt.  It was on February 15, 2010 that the Lord led me to Proverbs 31: 10-31.  This particular passage speaks of the virtuous woman.  It was at this time that I knew that Melissa was this woman and would continue to grow into the ways of this virtuous woman.  From this point forward, I knew that she was the one.

Time went by and all I can say is “Jesus”.  Jesus happened to every piece of time and every aspect of the next few months that led to the proposal.  It is only by God’s grace that everything fell into place.  From paying cash for a ring to arrangements for a proposal on Good Friday, God showed up and showed out in a big way.  What better day to promise my life to the woman of my dreams than Good Friday—the day when Jesus gave His life for His bride, the church.

The morning of April 2 dawned as quite possibly one of the most beautiful of the year.  My best friend, Daniel Atkins, helped me with all of the preparations for the perfect proposal.  I picked Melissa up from her apartment a few minutes after 10.  After a quick Starbuck’s run, Melissa and I went to Clemson/Oconee County Airport a few short minutes from Clemson’s campus.  We boarded Barron Cooley’s plane on what she thought was just a neat Friday excursion.  We flew over Lake Hartwell, the city of Anderson, Anderson University, NewSpring Church, and of course, the campus of Clemson.  On our return, we passed over the hallowed ground of Death Valley and over the dike that separates Lake Hartwell from the stadium.  It was here that Melissa caught glimpse of the phrase “MARRY ME?” written on the dike.  I remember her saying, “Oh my God!” and “Seriously?!?”  As she turned around to look at me, I had the ring waiting.  She recalls that the sunlight glittered on the diamond of the ring. Epic perfection!!  Wow!  I asked her to marry me and slipped the ring onto her finger—it fit perfectly.  She was ecstatic.  She could not stop saying, “Are you serious?”, and she could not stop giggling.  It was a laugh that I had never heard before but could only be explained as the joy of the Lord.  I then shared with her how Good Friday is perfect because it is the day that we set aside to remember when Christ gave His life for His bride the church.   I explained that with this engagement came the promise that I would do the same and that I would strive to encourage her, to build her up, and to love her as Christ loves the church.  I also noted how from the air everything seems so small and that how we as people are just mere blips in the grand scheme of things.  Yet in all of that, God loved us so much to give us His Son and not only that—to take it a step further, He loved us so much to take two totally different people from two totally different places in the country and bring us to Clemson to begin a journey together.  How amazing and encouraging that is in itself.

We landed with many congratulations at the airport.  I then drove her to the place on the dike where Daniel and I had painted the letters.  We then drove to another spot on campus where Daniel had a picnic prepared and waiting for us.  It was here that I prayed for us and our new step in our relationship.  It was here that I also shared with her the scripture God had given me on February 15^th.  I read the passage about the virtuous woman.  It was at verse 25 when things got crazy.  Proverbs 31:25 states, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”  It was at this time that I stopped mid-scripture in utter amazement at the fact that ‘she laughs at the time to come’ as explanation for Melissa’s utter joy and laughing during the proposal.  I literally broke down in joy and amazement for yet another confirmation from the Lord as to our lives together.  I was utterly blown away.   I then finished the passage and read Ephesians 5:25-33 where Paul outlines how husbands should love their lives as Christ loves the church and how husbands should give of themselves in sacrifice and love for their wives.

As I reflect on the day, nothing—absolutely nothing—could have gone better.  Jesus took control of every piece of that day, and every piece of every part of that day was blessed.  I saw his faithfulness and provision in ever part—from the weather to the view of “MARRY ME?” from the air to the scripture connection with Melissa’s laughter.  Everything was absolutely perfect.  I have to give all glory to God because it all speaks as a testimony to His faithfulness and His ‘making everything beautiful in its time.’