![]() As our world is erupting in confusion and pain, I look at my step-son Dallas as he gets ready to celebrate his wedding tonight and tomorrow. Ever the teacher and mom, I wonder how do I explain to him the importance of choosing love. There is so much to the contrary at first glance- sickness, storms, and political upheaval. This weekend, we want to celebrate these two precious people and their wedding- this much smaller affair than was originally planned. Then, I realized that my voice in all of this chaos is to choose love. To surrounded them in it. To pause and rejoice in their decision to marry. 1 Corinthians 16:14 tells us, Do everything in love. Dallas has a wonderful mom, Angie. She has affirmed me from the very beginning. She has encouraged me and shown me an unbelievable gracious spirit of generosity. For nearly twenty years, she has shared Dallas with me without bitterness or possessiveness. Angie did not have to, but she did. She chose love. Elise and Ella have showered Ashleigh – their soon to be sister-in-law – with attention to every glittery detail. They might have shown polite indifference to the bride. They might have leaned into jealousy over giving up time with their brother, but they never did. They chose to embrace Ashleigh as family. My girls chose love. Ashleigh was forced to redefine her wedding dreams and marriage plans over and over. She could have become eaten up with bitterness and pouty laments. Instead she walked through this as best she could. She chooses to marry Dallas during sickness or health, rain, or shine in the most literal sense of these words. She chooses love. I have special prayers for all of us during this wedding weekend- whether you are able to join us at the venue or join us in prayer from your homes. That we would keep our Lord in front of us. That all our words and actions be to His Glory. That we be instruments of His Peace. That there is healing where there was pain. That there is understanding instead of offense. That there is patience (with weather) when we need it. That there is kindness and joy in our voices. I am deeply blessed to have had a part in raising Dallas- even the days when he brought me a trash sack full of squirrels he killed. He would look up at me so seriously, asking me to cook them if he cleaned them. We laughed, skied, swam, and danced. We traveled a lot and fished a little. We sang, worked, cried, and watched our favorite movie over and over and over. Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings. I have chosen to love my little dirt magnet Dallas as my son and he has chosen to love me as his JoJo.
2 Comments
Carey
6/5/2020 04:06:22 pm
LOVE to all of you on this special day, and especially to Dallas and Ashleigh as they begin this journey. We are there in spirit!
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Dianna Windham
6/6/2020 07:40:03 am
Aww..Happy Wedding to all❤
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JoAnna Arnold
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