Wednesday in the Word.

Isaiah 48:17-18

17 This is what the LORD says—

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

"I am the LORD your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.

18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,

your peace would have been like a river,

your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

The above photos are of my wedding day. Well, except the baby photo, that's my sweet hubby on the day he was born. But the other photos? Our wedding day. You may notice that there are two little boys in tuxedos...two little boys that may look eerily like my own two boys. That's because they are my boys. Our boys. Chris and I had our kids before we were married. Yep, both of them. When we met we fell in love instantly. For real. Love at first sight. It was amazing, really. Something inside of me just knew that he was "the one". And as I would find out soon after we met, he felt the same way.

We were in love.

I didn't have a firm belief in marriage at that time. As a matter of fact, Chris and I had agreed that we didn't even WANT to get married. We figured it was "just a piece of paper"...a formality...and we didn't need it. We were fine just the way we were.

Or so we thought.

Well, about 5 or 6 years later, we found ourselves sitting in a small church downtown...not too far from the bar we'd met at that many years earlier. As we were sitting there the pastor began to give a sermon on the importance of marriage...and commitment...of doing things God's way...and not our own. By the time the sermon was over, Chris and I felt about an inch tall. We scurried out of church...and headed to the park to let the boys play a while. After that sermon...we needed a little fresh air!

As we're sitting there on the park bench watching the boys play, Chris turned to me and said, "We really need to make this right." I asked, "You mean...get married?"

And honestly, by this time, my heart had changed toward marriage. And I was open to it. I actually wanted it. But his feet were still a bit cold. So I didn't push it. I didn't have to. Because God did.

It was decided that day...then and there as the kids slid and swung and laughed and played...that we would get married. And we did.

It was a beautiful wedding...and one of the best days of my life. Of our lives...Chris would tell you the same thing! It was a great day. Our boys stood up for us. They were our "best men" and our ring bearers. It was a small wedding...just family and close friends....lots of kids. It was like a giant family gathering. It was perfect...it really was. Simple. Beautiful. And perfect.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Are you wondering why have I chosen to tell you this story of my life? I guess I just want to share that it's never too late to do the right thing. It's never too late to turn things around. It's never too late to "let go and let God" as they say. God is good. He is the God of second chances...and third chances...and fourth chances...and 185th chances! He is so good. And He does know what's best for us. He really does. He has our best interest at heart, always. It's up to us to trust Him...and know that He knows what He is doing.

And if we live like we believe that...peace will flow like a river.