After the Wedding!

ajr-page-paisley-bgb-29ajr-page-paisley-bgb-28ajr-page-paisley-bgb-32b2Life in the ajr-page-paisley-bgb-32bRobert’s household  has returned to “normal,” AKA busy but manageable!  We had a wonderful time with family and friends, celebrating the marriage of our youngest daughter. The preparations were overwhelming (note: anyone considering an outdoor wedding, they’re wonderful but if you’re setting the location up yourself its about 10 times as much work as a normal wedding!)  There were many tears of joy shared that day.

My girls and I had so much fun that last week.  I took the week off and Jacqui threatened my computer with a hammer if she caught me working on it, LOL!  Being of course an artsy-craftsy family we made all the goodies ourselves — we dressed the bubbles, created dangling “tree mobiles” that we hung all around the site, made the centerpieces and table decorations and wrapped up 190 after dinner mints.  All of it was done together, laughing, talking and sharing our hearts.  It was so much more fun than had we simply ordered things made on the internet.

The digital revolution has made these kinds of activities so much easier and less expensive.  Nine years ago when our older daughter got married we didn’t have nearly as much capability to do the decorations ourselves.

Weddings are such a precious part of life.  Exhausting, but so rewarding.  Preparing for a new wedding made me think back to those we had celebrated in the past including our own.  I remember looking at our wedding album a year or so ago and thinking back to how wonderful were the memories of having most of the people you loved all in one place at one time.  When we look at the pictures now, sadly, more than a few of the people who celebrated that day are no longer with us.

As we’re heading into the season of so many family celebrations, take time to enjoy each person in your life.  Slow down a little and enjoy the preparations instead of being overwhelmed by all the tasks.  As you prepare for Thanksgiving or Christmas, think about how you can make memories — not impress your guests, and you will add a richness that money can’t buy.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Ps 145:4-7
4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
NIV

DEVOTION:  I found 53 references to the word “Celebrate” in the scripture today and most of them were a command.  God tells us to party!  He tells us to rejoice!  He wants us to have joyful celebrations.  When we make him the center of those celebrations rather than partying for no lasting reason, those celebrations have a great and lasting joy to them.

Are you tired and weary?  Is life challenging?  Has there been a loss or a hard time in your past year?  Celebrating can be difficult in those times, but it can also be healing as well.  Celebrate the good things in your life with those you love the most.  Remember your blessings.  Treasure the memories of the past and create new memories to treasure out of th e opportunity the next family celebration affords you.

Honor God’s role in preserving your family, your home, your love and celebrate before Him with all your might and a deep and abiding joy will fill your heart.

PRAYER:  Lord, as I prepare for the seasons of Thanksgiving and Celebration ahead, help me to keep in perspective why I am celebrating and remember that you delight in our celebrating and feasting together as a family.  Help me to enjoy the process, enjoy the people, enjoy the preparations and relax and especially enjoy the relationship I have with you that is at the core of each joy in my life.  Thank you for all you are and all you mean to me.  Help me to have a spirit of celebration with me all this season long.  AMEN

3 thoughts on “After the Wedding!”

  1. Thanks for the devotional. It brings to mind the song “Count Your Blessing.” Haven’t thought about that in a long time.

    Beautiful layouts

  2. Beautiful bride & family, AJ! Congrats on a job well done.
    Your devotion really hits home for me. This is a time of celebration after a very rough year for our family. Our youngest son went back on drugs & we had to kick him out of the house……then the death of our beloved dog………..BUT then a new puppy, a wedding celebration & trip to NY & our son looks like he’s doing much, much better. We have so much to be thankful for & we praise HIM.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Hugs & Blessings,
    Sharron

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