By Kiera Rich – KRich13@bellsouth.net
I have a confession to make. My mind wandered during the sermon this morning. It wasn’t that Pastor Jim’s words weren’t compelling — they were. It was the fact that the sun was shining brightly, drawing my attention to the floor to ceiling cathedral-type window at the front of the church. As the dappled sunlight made intricate patterns on the floor, my mind wandered to four of the most beautiful minutes of my life.
Those minutes took place in front of that very window. The sun wasn’t shining then; but, the moon was — casting shadows through the panes. Pastor Jim wasn’t speaking then but he was there, watching and waiting. The worship band was playing and even today as I closed my eyes, I could still hear the music.
Jeff and I had gone to the window after we took Communion — the very first thing we did after saying our marriage vows. Standing there together, we gazed out at the stars. We held hands, whispered to each other and, we prayed. It was one of those moments that if I just knew where to reach, I was sure I could touch God.
If I had a top ten list for memorable moments in my life, our time at the window would certainly be very near the top. I was caught between the beauty of the moment — feeling like God was right there — and the solemness of communion and saying our vows. Then there was this other part of me, probably the part that adores all things Dr. Seuss, that wanted to do a wild, happy dance because I was so thrilled to finally be Jeff’s wife.
As we prepared to take Communion this morning, all of these feelings and memories came rushing back to me. And I cried — with joy and thankfulness and awe for my God who just IS.
My marriage to Jeff changed a lot of things. It changed my name, my address, and even my identity to an extent. I lost the day-to-day fellowship of a circle of dear friends in Nebraska. I left behind 3 cats who had been my family for the better part of 15 years. I also stepped away from a class full of kids who taught me Sunday school — even though I was “officially” the teacher.
And yet, for all I lost, I gained so much more. I gained family. Jeff’s brothers, their wives, children, and even grandchildren. I also gained a mother and father in law. Bobby, Jeff’s mom, died before I ever really knew Jeff. Tommy, Jeff’s dad, died shortly after we were married. Although time spent with Bobby was non-existent and my time with Tommy was entirely too short, I still feel like I know them. I see them every day in Jeff. I see them in the eyes and heart and soul of the wonderful little boy that they raised and the Godly man that they gave to me.
I also gained my very own fishing pole. Tommy gave it to me shortly after my somewhat nervous attempt to explain to him how much I loved Jeff and how I intended to spend the rest of my life making him happy. For a man who loved to fish the way Tommy did, there was no greater gift. It was the very best “Welcome to the Family” I ever could have hoped for.
I gained a new circle of friends. One of those friends I have so many obscure things in common with that we often joke about being sisters separated at birth. I also gained a new church family – a new place to learn and grow and change and become.
I gained new teams. Instead of being exclusively a Colorado girl (Go Buffs! Go Broncos! Go Rockies!) I now also cheer for Jeff’s smorgasbord of teams – the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Yankees, and the Florida Gators. I even went so far as to root for the Miami Heat in the playoffs two years ago. It should have been obvious to all the world that I was deeply in love with Jeff because I hate watching basketball!
I gained a taste for Cinnamon Mentos, brown rice, and fried shrimp. Separately! Not as a combo platter!
I gained two step-cats. Kacey has finally accepted me. It only took her a year. Scooter still hates me and probably always will. Unfortunately, like any loving step-mother, I can’t send her to boarding school and just be done with it! As I type this, she’s sitting in the corner hissing at the world and I am sorely tempted to send her somewhere. ANYwhere! (Note: All reasonable offers will be considered.)
I gained new traditions and celebrations. Good Friday is a family holiday now. In additional to the usual Biblical observances, we also celebrate Good Friday because it was the day Jeff proposed. We have an anniversary to enjoy together. I’m hoping to do better than this year’s celebration when I was so sick with Mono that all I wanted to do was sleep. I also got to revive a few treasured, childhood traditions. For the first time in a long, long time, I got breakfast in bed on my birthday.
The most important thing I gained though is a husband. Sometimes goofy, sometimes intellectual, sometimes sarcastic and wry; but always loving and always supportive. Jeff is so good about giving me space and time and the tools to be creative — without which, I truly believe a part of my soul would curl up and die. He makes me laugh when nothing is funny and makes me cry tears that come from the sheer joy of never loving another human being more than I love him. He is by my side when I need him to be and even sometimes when I just want him to be there. And I am completely amazed me when the last words I hear each night are “Wake me if you need anything.”
Those four minutes in front of the window at church changed my life. Looking back, I’ve often wondered why those minutes have stood out as my favorite part of my wedding night. I guess it’s because I believe it was during those four minutes that God sanctified our marriage. Maybe I’m crazy; (Email me to cast your vote!) but, I felt God’s joy and His resounding approval as it bubbled up from the very depths of my soul.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this week, I am overwhelmed with the love I feel for Jeff. It’s a growing, changing, reaching, yearning kinda love. It’s as comfortable as my old faded jeans and yet so new that it takes my breath away. It’s the sacrificial kind of love that God modeled for me when He sent His one and only Son to die for my sin. It’s a love, though we are imperfect people, that has been made perfect through our Savior who was and is and will always be.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
