Today's Journal Entry
I am sitting in the stillness of my empty house. It's becoming clean and sorted (my continuing project for today), the lights are off 'cause it's a hot day, and it's looking bare 'cause I've started to pack.
Next week at this time will be anything but quiet. Guests will be here from out of town. The girls and I will be at the salon all morning, in the centre of the bustle and activity. Light, laughter, chatter; places to be, jobs to do, keep to the schedule. It will be the culmination of a week of joyful reunions, cooking, wrapping, cleaning, preparing, planning, checking lists, and general commotion. So many people, each with their specific tasks, all headed different directions towards one common goal. The time for reflection will be over.
Next week on this day, my man and I will get married. All the people, the activity, the preparation will culminate in one Spirit-breathed ceremony. The joining together of two minds, two bodies, two spirits, two families - a joyful unity that speaks to the triumph of love over division. Everything has been pushing towards that moment, that important and lofty goal, and then - ah - a release into celebration. Food, drink, music, dancing, laughter, creation, conversation - a great coming together of people. Let us not forget that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding banquet, and that that miracle was to turn water into wine. In a world as broken as ours, let us never underestimate the importance of communion, celebration, or a good party.
Any number of things are different from wedding to wedding, culture to culture, century to century. Marriage is by no means the only way, the best way, or the ultimate goal towards which we journey. And still, there is a sense that it is a very Good Thing, when a man leaves his father and his mother to be united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Next week at this time will be anything but quiet. Guests will be here from out of town. The girls and I will be at the salon all morning, in the centre of the bustle and activity. Light, laughter, chatter; places to be, jobs to do, keep to the schedule. It will be the culmination of a week of joyful reunions, cooking, wrapping, cleaning, preparing, planning, checking lists, and general commotion. So many people, each with their specific tasks, all headed different directions towards one common goal. The time for reflection will be over.
Next week on this day, my man and I will get married. All the people, the activity, the preparation will culminate in one Spirit-breathed ceremony. The joining together of two minds, two bodies, two spirits, two families - a joyful unity that speaks to the triumph of love over division. Everything has been pushing towards that moment, that important and lofty goal, and then - ah - a release into celebration. Food, drink, music, dancing, laughter, creation, conversation - a great coming together of people. Let us not forget that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding banquet, and that that miracle was to turn water into wine. In a world as broken as ours, let us never underestimate the importance of communion, celebration, or a good party.
Any number of things are different from wedding to wedding, culture to culture, century to century. Marriage is by no means the only way, the best way, or the ultimate goal towards which we journey. And still, there is a sense that it is a very Good Thing, when a man leaves his father and his mother to be united to his wife, and they become one flesh.