Icing - Mountain Movers

“There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
(1 Samuel 2:2 NIV)

Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
(Psalm 63:7-8 NIV)

For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
(Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…
(Isaiah 49:16 NIV)

I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
(Isaiah 46:4 NLT)

I find that sometimes my emotions can’t keep pace with the events around me. A year ago last weekend we were celebrating the high school graduation of our oldest. Then at the end of August I found out he was planning to propose to his girlfriend. They got engaged Labor Day weekend and since then, in the midst of the rest of the Stuff of Life, we’ve been planning for their wedding and marriage. It all seems like a whirlwind, of sorts. People keep asking me how the wedding plans are coming along and, truthfully, I don’t know for sure; the “kids” have handled much of that. As I write this, I think (hope!) we have our parts covered and prepared, but I’m not completely sure what might not be “covered.” Of course, ultimately, what needs to happen tomorrow is some version of “I Do” and the marriage license to be signed. Everything else is icing on the proverbial wedding cake. But, just as I remember for our wedding, there’s a lot of “icing” that goes to this wedding.

My hope and prayer is that they, like other newly married couples, will remember that the “icing” isn’t the point. The marriage should be the focus. One of the wisest writers in history told us:

Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor;for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and does not have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie down together, then they keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 AMP)

When a husband and wife work together, they have a great return for their efforts. When one falls, the other lifts the first up. When they rest together, they keep each other warm. When they face battles in life, they can work together to resist the threat. Why? Because God is the third strand of the cord of husband and wife that cannot easily be broken.

This is my prayer for this young couple and other young couples. May they be so bound together by God that their union cannot be broken. May they always keep God first in their marriage. May they practice God’s presence, pray and study the Word together daily, and always be a part of a flourishing local church. May they seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness for all the decisions they will make in their lifetime together. May Jehovah Jireh provide for them all they need in all areas of life. May they be blessed beyond measure with godly, healthy children and grandchildren. May their Spirit-led lives invest in and bless generations to come.

And may my emotions be filled with joy at their marriage and the gaining of a daughter in law, hope for their good future focused on the Lord, and peace knowing that they are held in the palms of God’s hands.

May blessings be upon you, precious [children].
May favor rest upon your family.
May your future be a holy legacy,
May blessings be upon you, precious [children].
May He bless you in your coming;
May He bless you in your going;
May your heart be ever knowing the blessings of the Lord.
May blessings be upon your children’s children.
May favor rest upon your family.
May your future be a holy legacy,
May blessings be upon your children’s children.*
AMEN