Mother of the Groom

The day had finally arrived. The day I knew would come ever since he was born. The thought of this day has made me tear up for many years. Another woman would become the most important woman in my son's life. So how would I handle this? There must be a special grace for parents to hand over to another person the prized possessions they have guarded, protected and nurtured for so many years.

The flashbacks were more frequent as the day grew near. There were many endless days in the doctor's office with asthma as a baby. He got his first pair of skates at four years old. That only led to skating every good hand rail he could find in the Dallas area as a teenager. Many times I drove the van full of friends to find these rails. I can't count the amount of skates, skateboards and cars that I have anointed with oil and prayed over. His High School graduation came a year earlier than we had planned. Then he left home to be in full time ministry and play the guitar with a traveling band. So many things that had led him to being the man he has grown to be.

There have been many ways that the Lord has prepared me for the different aspects of my children's lives. I knew when I received the news of his arrival that there would be something different about this child. I realized a call of God on him before I ever laid eyes on him. There was a strange but peaceful preparing of my heart to help mold and support him for what ever callings he would receive. Right then and there I dedicated his life to God and the plan and purpose that would unfold for him. I remember the very street I was driving down when I received this revelation.

Many nights my husband yelled down the hall for me to let the kids go to sleep. Now I am so thankful for the extra hugs and kisses that were just for me. This would be something precious that I would look back on when the day came for another woman to kiss him goodnight. I use to tell him that even after he got married I would drive over and tuck him in every night. I'm sure his bride is glad that I have lost the desire to do that.

I have spent twenty two years praying for the perfect woman to be his bride. This woman would have to support him and help him in what ever ministry roll would unfold for their lives. Other girls have come across his path that did not fit the bill. This young woman, however, was not one of them. The funny thing is that she is like me in so many ways. She fits into our family very well. I recall many times over the years that God would prompt me to pray for her. Now I know who I was praying for. I am blessed with another beautiful daughter.

As I look back on the day my baby boy got married, I wonder, were they tears of joy for him? Were they tears of hope for a bright future for our growing family? They may have been tears of reality slapping me in the face. This was just another reminder that I am no longer the young chick beginning my life with the man of my dreams. It has been twenty eight years since that happened to me. Now I am the mother of the man of another woman's dreams. The tears were a mixture of all of the above, I'm sure.

When my son stood on the stage next to the preacher, he glanced at me and smiled. The next look on his face told a story all its own. He caught a glimpse of his bride as she came down the isle to meet him. After months of preparation, there he stood embarking on the future he had dreamed of.

Oh if we could only see Jesus' face, anxiously waiting for his bride to get ready. How He must anticipate sweeping us away in His arms. To start another chapter in the never ending love story He has written for us. That day will arrive whether we are ready or not. We need to catch the spirit of anticipation. Let's not miss the moment in which we are living. With the same thoughtful preparation that Brian and Rachael have invested into their special day, let's get ready for ours.

Isaiah 62:5 - As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over you.

Sandra may be contacted at tylersmimi@gmail.com