Luke 23: 48-49 > When all the people who had gathered
to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went
away. But all those who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from
Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. (NIV)
As our family is preparing for a
wedding, there’s little else that is occupying our minds; especially, my
sister’s and niece. This wedding is different. This wedding shows hope in a way
that a few years ago she never thought possible. Quite honestly, none of us
did. Not even my niece.
It was a very cold night in February
2014. No one in their right mind should have been outside in the cold and yet,
we were. There was nowhere else for us to be. Everything was taking place
outside…in the cold.
Michelle and I stood on her back deck
observing the scene before us. We were watching what was happening. There were
several men in Law Enforcement freezing in her yard. Their reason for being
there was simply to do their job; no other reason. We had to do something for them.
After all, none of it was their fault.
One of Michelle’s favorite things on a
cold day or night is to drink coffee. So, that is what we did. We served hot
coffee on a cold night to those in need of something warm. Suddenly, her back
deck became a way to go in and out of her home to serve those in need. Even if
they were there waiting for her daughter. The decision to serve them came easy
even though their reason for being there was extremely difficult.
April made a choice earlier that day
that would end up bringing her pain and sorrow. It’s not like she woke up that
morning and thought, “I think I will throw my life away today.” No one does
that; at least, not intentionally. Pain, mental or physical, can make a person
do things that they would normally never do. And she was no exception. On this
particular cold night, her only choice (or so she really believed) brought Law
Enforcement to her mom’s home. If April went to Michelle’s home on this night,
her arrest was inevitable. And quite possibly would happen on her back deck.
Hot coffee was served and they were
grateful. Probably a little shocked as well! It was not a joyful night but it
wasn’t their fault. The reason for their being there had not once escaped
Michelle’s mind. She served coffee with a heavy heart for April. My thoughts
were for both of them. “What’s going to happen next?”
Several years prior to this night, this
very same deck had been a place of joy and celebration. Laughter and the hope
of a happy marriage had filled the air. My youngest daughter married her
soul-mate on this deck. But on this night, strained laughter (should we be
laughing even if someone said something that was a little funny?) and no hope
was in the air and filling this same deck.
Something similar happened the day
Jesus was crucified. There were crowds of people there to watch. Some were
there because it was simply their job. Some were there to make sure that He
would die. And some were there with the hope that He might not. I can imagine
that scene now. How some must have stood there in possible shock that this
horror was actually taking place. “Where had hope gone? Hadn’t this Jesus of
Nazareth said that He had come to save the world? How was He going to do that
now?”
That day was supposed to happen. It was
the reason He was born. It was the beginning of an end, so to speak. The Roman
soldiers thought they had done their job. After all, they placed Jesus on a
cross and watched Him die. The one’s that were there in shock that His death
had truly taken place had left the scene “beating their breasts”, they were in
deep sorrow. Oh, how I truly understand that now.
Fast forward to December 10, 2016…joy
and celebration will once again fill this deck! There will be much laughter as
well as the hope of a happy marriage! Just like in February 2014, people will
gather once again for April. This time it will be with joy and on purpose! The
choice that she’s made for this night has been with a clear mind and without
fear. She has chosen to marry her soul-mate, William Henderson, on this day.
They will bind their hearts together before God and everyone who has gathered.
They will join together in holy matrimony on the very same deck that had once
been filled with no hope. Just like that night in February, it will again be
cold. And, coffee will be served!
April’s boys were there for a short
while the night that no hope had shown up. They were not allowed on the back
deck. They couldn’t see through the mini-blinds because they were kept closed.
Protecting them was needed and was the goal. Even though they couldn’t see what
was going on, her oldest son knew something was wrong. And he knew it involved
his mother, his heart.
On this cold December afternoon Hunter
and Clayton will be allowed on the back deck. They will be a major part of the
celebration. Together, they will walk their mother up the aisle to a new hope;
to a blessed beginning for all of them. Hunter’s heart has been restored. His
hope has been renewed. His heart will beat, once again, for his mother just
like it did before that dreadful night. As for Clayton, well, he just knows
that something fun is happening. And that in itself is wonderful! After all,
isn’t restoration fun??
There’s something about the month of
February that has not always brought joy to April’s life. Two marriages and an
arrest linger in memory. They didn’t come as a surprise to God. He knew they
would happen. December, however, has offered a newness and thankfulness to an
end of those memories. I guess they kind of had to happen so that this day
could be celebrated in its fullness. There had to be a death (arrest), in order
to experience new life…
So much has happened to lead to this
night that will be filled with celebration. Not all of it has been pretty. Not
all of it has been without fear. And not all of it has been with a clear mind. Only
a loving God can do that. Only He can wrap a gift that had not seemed possible
to receive.
As for several hundred years ago, joy
was brought back to the world in only 3 days. Jesus – our only Hope – walked
out of a darkened tomb defeating death forever. Because He was victorious we
can be, too. If we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are
victorious!! (1 Corinthians 15:57)
It is because of this victory that our
family gathers in celebration for April and William. And not just for them but
for Hunter and Clayton, too! Our hearts will be singing “Noel, come and see what God has done! Noel, the story of amazing love.
The Light of the world given for us, Noel.” (Chris Tomlin featuring Lauren
Daigle)
In awe of Him,
Vonda
