Hey young bride, remember...

Hey young bride, remember this moment. Take a deep breath before opening the doors. He’s standing there waiting for you. You shared a little bit about your dress and hair; he’s expecting you to look beautiful. But as soon as he looks up, he’ll be surprised. He’ll bow his head in unbelief; he may have shed a tear; he’ll smile as he sees you in all your bridal glory. His eyes will say, “I am madly in love with you. I am so blessed to have you. I think you’re gorgeous, and I will cherish you forever.” And his embrace will envelop you in a peace and happiness you don’t feel often. Soak this precious moment in.

Remember it on days when you don’t feel so pretty, on days when your husband comes home and you smell less like perfume and more like baby spit up, on days when there wasn’t one extra minute to wash your hair. And remember that your husband still loves you with that same intense love as your wedding day. And while your husband’s love is great, there is one even greater. This same special moment is used to describe the way Christ looks at you. His sacrificial love sees you as his radiant bride.

On days when we don’t feel loveable, when we haven’t showed patience or understanding; on days when we haven’t spent time in the Word or listened to His voice, He’s waiting there for us. As soon as we open the door, he smiles, his breath taken away by our beauty, his sacrificial love covering our weaknesses, our insecurities, or impatient moments. He envelopes us in his peace and says, “I am madly love you. I am blessed to have you. I think you’re beautiful, and I will cherish you forever and into eternity.”

“And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5