In late April, we received an email from Mary and Will telling us that they received some surprising news: Will’s deployment date had changed! All of the work and planning they had done for their wedding was quickly overshadowed by his obedience as a naval officer. They could move forward with their original plans, but there was a chance that Will wouldn’t be able to make it home for the big day. Major problem! So, they got to work adjusting their plans.
A situation like this seems so stressful. Weddings are supposed to go off without a hitch! We feel the same way about life, don’t we? It should go smoothly without conflict. However, unexpected things happen all of the time, from loved ones getting sick, to jobs being lost. Life is full of ups and downs. Too many things are out of our hands, but God is always in control. While studying the catechism with our 8-year-old daughter, we’ve been talking about the divine attributes. They help us to understand how God’s will is always prevailing. Surrendering to God’s will sets us free. To learn this lesson while wedding planning will surely set up Mary and Will for greater understanding of this during their married life.
Mary and Will, God is going to teach you to trust him and show you that he loves you for the duration of your lives. Your marriage will be a learning ground for these lessons to be observed and taught. What a great comfort it is for us to know that our God loves us as much as he does, and to know that his plans are for our welfare and not for harm, to give us a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). These kinks in the plan can come with unexpected blessings, too—like being able to move your wedding earlier! Use this experience of planning and replanning to remind yourselves throughout your lives how much God loves you!
In Christ,
Amy and Kyle
