Joy Comes in the Morning!

Sunday, March 16, 2007 I woke up this morning with a different name, a different kind of contentment and a joy beyond measure. God’s promises became reality.

I thought back on my wedding day with a giddy blissfulness. Looking around the beautifully adorned room at our family and friends, I felt my life blessed. These were the folks who had meant the most to Kent and I throughout our life, and especially these past 2-3 years. They came from all over the United States and many from our hometowns. Though I wish I could take this moment and equally thank everyone individually for how much they have meant to us, I would run out of blog space and would continuously write for days.

Love is truly one of the most coveted of all emotions. We are social beings; passionate about seeking and discovering love in our lives. I was fortunate to be blessed with one amazing love, as was Kent. Though we were open to the possibilities, neither of us expected to find that type of complete companionship again. God had a different story in mind for us.

As I looked into Kent’s eyes on Saturday, I had such inner peace. I had confidence in our love and in our future as man and wife. Am I under the illusion that life from here will be “perfect”? Of course not, but I know that he is the one I want to go through life’s struggles with. I want his hand in mine as we maneuver the rest of our lives together.

Perhaps as widows we have a different outlook on life. We understand the temporal, as well as retain hope for the eternal. We recognize that life is short, but that it will be sweeter with each other than without. Through our individual grief we each have developed a deeper and abiding love. It is this steadfast love we long to share with each other. It seems like quite a price to pay, but I am grateful that God has reached down given “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3) and that we were each open to accepting the gift.

We bring different life experience and individuality to our relationship; seasoned with time. These life experiences have crafted us into the people we are now, yet it is because them that we are able to offer each other such unshakable love (Jer. 31:3).

All in all, it was a day of new beginnings—of counting our blessings and holding dear to our hearts those we love and treasure. I love the fact that by attending our wedding, our friends and family vowed to support our new life together. That means more than anything….yes, JOY does come in the morning.

This I know for sure…