Today I went to a wedding. It was beautiful. The bride wore white, the groom laughed nervously, and the families sized each other up on the sidelines. Lol...not really. All the sizing up was done at the rehearsal dinner last night, but I did see the father of the bride offering a little side-eye to the groom at one point. Pretty normal for the father of the bride. [wink!]
Weddings make me think of all the things we celebrate in this life. Brides and grooms, babies, birthday parties, beginnings and banquets for milestone anniversaries or retirements. There is undeniable beauty in a good celebration, and even the flowers seem to show off that there is something spectacular in even the ordinary of day-to-day life.
As I make my list, I think through a lifetime of celebrations so far. All that I have mentioned above, and something I haven't said yet. Some of the greatest celebrations I have attended mark the end of an era, and the beginning of eternity for a loved one who also loved Jesus. Because, while we may not always think about it, on the other side of this life is something better!
When a loved one passes away, we are sad. We do not blow bubbles or toss flower petals at memorial services. We cry, and we laugh, as we remember all the ways our parent, partner or pal shared life and love with us...all the things we will miss. Then we celebrate a life well-lived, a family well-loved, and a faith well-shared, often through the celebrations.
Later, as we look through the photos again, we remember the brides, the babies, the birthdays and the banquets. We meet the milestones for years to come, and they tug at our heartstrings in the absence of one who once celebrated with us. We remember that "God so loved [name of loved one here] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Then, especially if we also love Jesus, we put one foot in front of the other to see what's around the next turn in this life for us.
Today, I went to a wedding. The bride and groom love Jesus, and he was invited. Their families love Jesus, and he was honored. The wedding, and the couple, was set apart for Jesus, and he was a celebrated part of this new union. Congratulations to Isaac and Emily! I can't wait to see what's in store for you to celebrate next!
Do you have anything to celebrate today? I hope so. Even if it's something very day-to-day, like good weather or a smiling baby passing by, celebrate all the good you can find! Those celebrations will help you past the hurdles of life, because there is usually something better coming, and it is often just around the bend.
Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 
PS - gratuitous pics of two (three?) of the people I celebrate every day! I know you won't mind seeing how they've grown!
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