The Beauty of Obedience

I hadn't heard from my WOLBI roommate in awhile. Carrie has never been good with keeping in touch- but it had been an unusually long time. I thought to myself- "She must have a boyfriend!". Just a few weeks after that comment, I received her wedding invitation. When I read it, I had mixed feelings. Part of me was so excited for Carrie. We had spent countless HOURS at WOLBI talking about marriage, finding "the one" and what our dream weddings would look like. The other part of me was downright scared. The last time Carrie and I had talked, she confessed that she was dating a non-believer. She knew it was wrong and didn't seek to justify, but felt like she had no other options. In my heart, I hoped this was a different man, but couldn't hold my hopes to high.

Carrie believed God wanted her to stay in her small Maine town, close to family. While this is all well and good, her pickin's for a godly spouse seemed to be slim to none. During our last phone call, I had encouraged her to "get out of Wilton"! At least for a time- or, to give eharmony a try. The "winners" she was encountering were not winners at all.

There was no doubt in my mind that I would attend her wedding. Through a torrential downpour, my mom and I made our way 5 hours north to Wilton. We arrived literally with just a moment to spare. The church was quaint and beautiful. Delicate white flowers sparkled by candlelight. The wedding began- her groom Steve entered dressed in an all white tux. (He could so make a career as an Elvis impersonator if landscaping doesn't work out). Carrie entered- stunning in her pure white dress. From the stage, she saw me and excitedly mouthed hello! The service continued, with glory given to God for drawing these two individuals together. Vows of faithfulness and love were made and rings exchanged. She looked so calm, so happy, so beautiful.

Carrie recognized that she should not settle for second best. She ended her relationship with the non-believer, realizing that there was "no one waiting in the wings". Last November, she met Steve- or I should say, re-met Steve. They had gone to high school together. Through a course of events, Steve came to know the Lord 9 years ago. In November, he was hired to work for her brother's landscaping company, and a friendship began with Carrie. What a picture of obedience on Carrie's part. She maintained her standards, waited for the Lord's perfect timing- and He brought her the godly Christian man she had longed for.

My heart is so full of praise today. Praise for Carrie and Steve's faithfulness- the beauty of their obedience- the sweetness of their love and the promise of an amazing future serving the Lord together. May this be an encouragement to us who are "still waiting"....