Volume 64: Rest in God's Expanding Love
At the end of Jess's Bridal Luncheon on Friday, her Mom gathered us together to express her gratitude for all of us being there and loving Jess so well.
And then she paused, taking a deep breath to stop the tears from dropping...
She went on to share that when she was pregnant with Jess, she was very fearful of not being able to love another kid, as her heart was so full of love towards Joey, Jess's older brother.
However, the second Jess was born, her Mom immediately loved her so much. Twenty six years later, she stated, "It's beautiful how God expands our love." And now, Mrs. Jamie's heart is open to loving her new son-in-law, Lanier!
Lanier is an easy one to love and this world will be a better place because of the newly wed Olliffs! It was an amazing weekend celebrating Jess and Lanier!!
While Jess was getting her makeup done, I asked her a random question that came to my mind, "Flash back to when you were fifteen years old, dreaming of your wedding one day. What is one thing that is happening today that you always wanted?"
Jess replied, "well, you're not going to like this answer, but I never thought about my wedding until I was engaged..."
And we moved on...
Until... hours later, we were piled into the 15 P, heading to the church for the ceremony, jamming to "Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married"... With tears in her eyes, Jess turned around and yelled to me in the back seat, "Morgan, this moment right here is the answer to your question earlier. Being with all of my people."
And all of a sudden, my eyes were just as wet as hers... weddings really are such a beautiful earthly image of God's love for us. As you are humbled by being in a room full of people that came to celebrate YOU.
Your family. Your friends. Your husband.
All different kind of loves that God brings together on this one day. Of course, the relationship piece was what Jess had dreamed of! We are made for people and we are blessed by the people that God so graciously surrounds us with.
With a Dad that couldn't even hear the words "who gives this woman to be married to this man" without ugly crying, even at the rehearsal.
With friends from hometown, college, and post grad sharing beautiful words of what Jess and Lanier has meant to them.
With bridal parties who know the bride and groom on a deep level, and commit to supporting the marriage and being forever friends.
With a husband who promises to lead and serve his bride no matter what this life throws at them.
Bright and early the next day, Jess texted us, "IM OVERWHELMED WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE FOR ALL OUR PEOPLE!!! Like holy cow I don't even have words."
As Jess and Lanier take on this life together, may God continue to expand their love, for one another and for the people in their life.
This Christmas, I am reminded of how God expanded His love for ME.
He could have just created this world and the animals and the land and the water and the humans.
He could have just spoke to us through burning bushes and prophets.
He could have only given us His Scripture to read and learn from.
Yet, He didn't stop there. Instead, He sent us His Son, in human flesh. That He may be WITH us and speak to us and teach us through the life He lived and the very words He spoke.
May I not be immune to the birth of Jesus this Christmas! Rather may I be in complete awe of the mighty, loving God, who cares so much about me that He was humbly born in a manger, of a completely ordinary birth.
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