Aug. 17, 2008 - Some thoughts from the weekend...
I've just spent a few minutes reading over my blogs from the last year. I'm not sure what to think of them. In one blog I asked for you to all pray for marriages. I have always held a strong opinion about the sanctity of marriage and have felt disturbed by the fact that the divorce rate is the same in the church as in the world. My opinion hasn't changed, but my marital situation has. That is humbling and humiliating at the same time. I feel foolish for feeling so strongly on the subject and be in a failed marriage. My husband is building a new life apart from me but with another woman. He is slowly moving his stuff out. My house continually looks like we're moving. The locusts have come. What did God say about that? He said that he would restore what the locusts have destroyed. (I can't seem to find that reference right now.) I don't know exactly what that means for me, but I so know that the Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Other versions end that passage with the words "a future and a hope".
I want to live passionately for Jesus. I want my family to look different than the family's of the world. I want our lives to speak Jesus to those around us. I want to see people encounter Jesus. I don't want to be a secluded Christian homeschooler who snubs the worldly people of the world. I don't think that's right. Jesus didn't stay hidden away with His disciples. He took them out into the world. We need to look past ourselves to the hurting people around us. I don't want my children to grow up being ignorant of the heartaches of this world. I want them to look at people with compassion, not snootiness. Being saved by the grace of God doesn't put us on a higher level than one who has yet to meet Jesus. We are all broken. We are all sinners. We are in need of a Savior.
I had the privilege of being the second photographer at a wedding this weekend. My good friend, Bryanna, was getting married to her man, Chris. It was beautiful, amazing, and fun. There are many levels to this. I had called up the photographer, Krista, to see if I could shadow her to see how she did weddings. I've only done two weddings and I've felt nervous and a little scattered. It was incredibly relaxing to be the 2nd photographer. Krista and I worked well together and I look forward to working with her again. On another level, I was able to see people I hadn't seen in a very long time. One friend was freshly back from Germany, another from Africa, and others that I just don't get to see much. What can be more fun than a huge party with food, friends, and photos? I can't think of anything! And then, there was the wedding itself. Incredibly heart warming and emotional. A celebration of two lives becoming one. A group of people gathered around them to lay hands on them and pray for their marriage. A prayer for protection and blessing. It was beautiful to behold.
To round off the end of a busy week and full weekend I decided to head over to Open Door church instead of driving into McMinnville to True Vine. I am so glad I did. The Bumsteads and a couple of other people spoke on their experiences in Africa. The heartaches and the victories. My heart was stirred. I felt full when I left church that day. I can't remember feeling like that before. I really enjoyed how they did worship at the beginning and the end of the service. I feel like all the things that have been stirring around in my heart have begun to bubble and boil. Change is just around the corner. The game is afoot. I'm ready for an adventure with Jesus.
There is so much more to write, but I must end this. But before I go I'll leave you with one unedited image of the wedding.
Comments
Aug. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Rebeca
I love the picture Dar! And I love you and your sweet kids too.
Bbbb
Aug. 29, 2008 - Right Foot
Posted by LanaFalana
Well.... We should pray for each other and for marriages and even if and when we fail, praying is a good thing. As you probably know, it is not easy. However you seem to know that God is in control and he will see you through whatever you are going through. Even taking pictures at a wedding and creating lovely memories like the one you posted is healing. Keep on God's side.
