The following is from a missionary who served in the Middle East. For security reasons the author will remain anonymous, as well as the name of the country where this occurred. -Editor
One of the most memorable wedding parties I have attended was soon after we moved to N----. It was to celebrate the marriage of our neighbor's daughter, and we were all excited. From our flat roof, my sisters and I could peek down into the walled yard of our neighbor two houses down and catch glimpses of the excitement as they bedecked the drab cement walls of the courtyard with brightly colored cloth and festive tinsel.
Around 7:00 in the evening my mother, sisters, and I fussed with our dresses and scarves until we were finally ready to head over. It was dark, but the bride's family had rigged up large lights in the yard illuminating the elevated platform on which the bride would sit on an elegantly decorated couch. We joined the crowd of women and girls standing and sitting on mats arranged on the ground in the courtyard. Soon coffee was served and women visited with each other enjoying the special occasion and waiting for the entrance of the bride. She had spent the day at the salon preparing herself, and we all were eager to see her.
Suddenly, amid the gaiety, the electricity went out and we were left sitting in the dark. After the first startled commotion, talking returned to normal. We were used to the finicky behavior of our electricity; there was nothing to do but wait it out and hope the lights would come on before the bride came. But it was not a good beginning to a perfect wedding celebration. More food was served while we all wondered and waited. It was at least half an hour to an hour that we all sat and talked in the darkness, hoping for the light.
A car drove up and I noticed a disturbance near the big metal gates. The bride had arrived, but there was still no light. What to do? She decided to wait and see if the lights would come on yet, but after a time and still darkness, it was decided that the wedding celebration must continue. Someone opened the gates and the car maneuvered so that its headlights shone in, making a makeshift path of glaring light to the platform. Amid the clapping, singing, and trilling of the women, the bride walked slowly through the yard, greeting friends and family. At last she stepped up onto the platform and turned to face the crowd.
And at that exact moment, the electricity returned, flooding the yard with a bright light which illuminated the bride and sparkled off the sequins decorating her pure white dress. Amid much overall delight, the bride sat down with a smile in her seat of honor to receive well-wishes from her friends and await the coming of her groom to take her away.
A feeling of awe still comes over me when I think about that miraculous moment of light. Truly it was a gift from God to this girl so newly married - a sign of His love and longing for her as His bride. What love our God holds for those not yet united with Him – in fact, opposed to Him – that He would take the time to replace the strained and apprehensive worry from the faces of this bride and her family with smiles of joy! Do we also follow in the example of our Father in acts of extravagant love to those who do not yet know Him?
No comments:
Post a Comment