For My Son-In-Law...

A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains

favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 18:22

It's hard to believe that I find myself standing here...in this precise moment in time. The young woman you will soon hold in your arms - it seems like just yesterday I held as a babe in mine. For many years now, I've thought of you. I've prayed for you. For the man that you were growing to be, for the parents that were raising you. For the future you would choose.
And now, he we are. The culmination of those hopes and prayers. 
And while it's the ending of one beautiful season for me; it's also the beginning of another - for us all. That's the great paradox of life, I suppose. The ending of one thing is often the beginning of another. 
For you, it's the beginning of perhaps the biggest, longest and most impactful chapter of your life's story. There are so many blank pages to be filled, so many stories to be made...each one containing you and her together as the main characters. 
That's the absolute beauty and gift of marriage - togetherness. Celebrating the newness and wonderment of the blissful beginnings of marriage together. Seasons of accomplishing Kingdom-work, personal goals and personal growth - together. As well as seasons of mourning losses and overcoming various hardships in life...together. If the Lord so wills, celebrating new life, facing the obstacles and embracing the joys of child-raising together. 

...and the two become one flesh...so they are no longer two but one flesh.

Mark 10:8

Your joys become her joys. Her sorrows become your sorrows. Your struggles are hers, and hers are yours. From here until the end, all of your choices, difficulties, celebrations and consequences are shared. Not one step you take from here is ever taken alone. The weight of that responsibility is much. But the reward is even greater.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you

do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ

is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

Ephesians 5:22,23

To lead is no light thing. And likewise, to follow is no easy task. To follow a leader requires a trust that he is going to lead in the right direction. It is not a blind trust, for she weighed your character carefully before she said, "I do". In following, she is trusting that you are ever focused on The One, that you are ultimately guiding her towards Him. Seasons will come where that vision may become blurred; where your focus may become off and your leading difficult and perhaps even sorrowful to follow. God's grace is so much bigger, though - and her faithful prayers and trust in Him will guide you back. Expecting perfection in leading (or following) is futile and will most certainly end in disappointment and disunity. 
And likewise, seasons will come where her vision and purpose may be off; where she may struggle to follow. God's grace is so much bigger, though - and your faithful prayers, Christ-like love and gentle leading will guide her back. Leading and following is a delicate and deeply personal dance between man and wife - but with God at the center you'll both learn the rhythm. And when you do - the impact that it will have on God's Kingdom, your family and those around you will be powerful. 

While this momma's heart is mourning a little at the loss of my girl's presence in our home....I'm also incredible grateful for the gain. For increasing the love in our hearts to receive you as our son. I'm excited to sit back and watch your own story unfold and ponder the things that God has purposed out for you both as you begin your own family; your own traditions; your own roots. My prayer is that you both cling so tight to Christ, that no obstacle you encounter can shake you. That the promises you make before God to one another and your purpose in beginning life together remain fresh in your hearts always. Don't do things as either of your parents have done as though either of us are a fitting role model - do better. Seek the Lord always for what He is asking specifically of you, rather than settle for easy answers.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly calling 

in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

 Don't grow complacent in living life - seek to keep ablaze a burning desire to do more and better for Him! Even if it is what the world considers a "simple life"...live it with a passion that desires to know and serve Him better. And always know - I'm your biggest fan. I'm cheering you both on. I want God's best for your lives and will be praying diligently as you seek Him and His will together. You have a community of brothers and sisters in Christ to lean on when you have burdens to share. You two are most definitely not alone in this new journey, regardless of what your heart may try to tell you. 

You have so much ahead of you. So many unwritten pages in your story to be filled. 
It's an honor to be a spectator. 

With Much Love and Prayer, 
Your Other Mom