Celebrations

 

Last night marked a first for me: attending a bridal shower via Zoom. I was so grateful they made a virtual option for this shower, because it was too far to travel on a weeknight, but I do have to say I missed the chance to eat some yummy looking food!

            The shower honored my good friend Jamie, who has been part of my life for the last eleven years now. We have prayed together, encouraged each other, and shared stories of life all these many years.

            We became friends, in part, because when we met, we were both single and praying for husbands. When I married Ryan, Jamie rejoiced with me, and we just kept right on praying for the Lord to bring her together with her husband! There have been seasons of hope and discouragement along the way, and one of the things I have appreciated most about Jamie is her unwavering trust in the Lord, no matter the circumstances in front of her.

            When she met the man she will soon marry, I felt certain in my heart he was the one, and when I received the text saying he proposed, I screamed right out loud – so full of joy!

            It was a special blessing to watch so many of her friends come together to celebrate her yesterday. I listened in closely to all their marriage advice and came away with some good gems to remember! They were a fun bunch, and it was an honor to be part of the evening.

            I’m in a season of life when I don’t attend nearly as many bridal showers and weddings as I once did. But I still love them as much as I ever did. Something about the delight of new relationships brings such joy to my heart. Though Ryan and I feel like we do a good job of celebrating our life together, being part of something like a bridal shower reminds me to always keep celebration at the forefront!

            I know some of you who read here each day are also still praying and waiting, and I’m pausing right this minute to pray for your hearts. I am praying for a fresh dose of encouragement and joy and for the Lord to bring the desires of your heart! Jamie shared last night that a verse dear to her throughout her time of singleness has been to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” She said she’s tasted that goodness in the hardest days and now there is a new sweetness in the joy of the answer. I am praying that those of you waiting will also taste the goodness of God in every part of the journey!