Who stands where? Who comes in first? Who is speaking? Who sits with whom?
So much to think about and so much to remember. So far, it seems we have easy parts. My husband and our sons are the ushers at the wedding and I am reading at the ceremony... after that we are off the hook :)
I will be reading the poem "Footsteps" which was one of our Mother's favourites.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
~ Mary Stevenson, 1936
What I hope that my brother and his bride realize is that the best rehearsal is the one we never have - the rehearsal of a terrible argument. The rehearsal of one of them being unemployed. The rehearsal of disagreeing over how to discipline children. The rehearsal of supporting a friend or family member whose needs exceed their reserve of strength, money or time.
These are the true challenges of a marriage.
We are fortunate to have a Faith that reminds us that the Lord will never leave us - His absence is only because we have left Him. Marriages are somewhat more fragile than the love of the Lord. We need to continually reaffirm our love for a spouse.
It is important to feel love often with a spouse - and our spouse needs that too... the Lord doesn't mind if the talk with Him is quiet... the Lord will still be there if we are distracted by moving to a new house or if we are busy on a trip. A spouse may be more affected!
What we need to know going into a marriage is that sometimes as we mentally replay those life images there will be only one set of footprints in the sand. Only a naive couple would think they will always walk side by side.
The first years of our lives there are many times when we walk alone with our Faith. And as time moves on, many people walk alongside us for a moment or two as we move through the journey of life. But there are times when we are on our own and we have to be strong enough to survive through those times.
The decision to marry is a tremendous and very meaningful decision. That person will walk along with us very often in our life and they will always have a key spot in our memories and our life story. But in addition to married spouses there are other very special and important people.
Our parents, our children, close family, dear friends, a special teacher, a Faith leader, a caring neighbour, an amazing person who we find in an unusual place... each of those people are important and some of them will walk with us for a long time and others for just a brief moment.
But ultimately, our footprints through life are never totally alone. And for those of you whose life I walk through, know that my prints might not appear by your side as you go - but in my heart, I walk only a few paces behind.
Be well.
Jen
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