I couldn't wait to get home! I had some important news and I wanted to share it with my mom. This was the kind of news that most young women can't wait to bring home and usually starts with, "Mom, sit down." I burst through the door! "Mom, I'm getting married!" She sat down. "Aren't you a little young for this?" True I was only 6 years old and in my first year of school, but when the teacher asked me if I would be the bride doll in the Kindergarten Christmas play, I jumped at the chance. No, I mean I really jumped...up and down. Thankfully, I was blessed with a mother that sews. She made me the loveliest wedding gown and when I put it on, I felt like the most beautiful bride in all the world! The play went off without a hitch and I took my curtseys along with the rest of the accomplished actors and actresses in my class, but I knew the applause was all for me in my lovely bridal gown.

It didn't take me long to realize that someone was missing from the wedding party...and that someone was the groom.

Did it ever occur to you that us gals begin looking for a husband the moment we step on the school bus for the first time? Our eyes begin to scan the aisle for him and we do not hesitate to take the empty seat, fully committed!

Ladies, each one of us was designed with this special "husband seeking" gene sewn into our DNA. Again our loving Father and Creator places in us a desire that points us directly to Him, our Husband to be, our Hope. And, remember hope is not a feeling, but a person...Jesus.

Throughout scripture the marriage union is a metaphor or picture of the relationship between God and His people (first Israel and then the Gentiles-that's you and me).

Scripture tells us:
Then at the time appointed by the Father, the Son, wearing many crowns (Rev. 19:12), will come for us, His bride (Mark 13:32). We don't know the day or the hour of His return, but we know the season (1 Thess. 5:1). We understand from Bible prophecy that the Lord's coming is near, even at the very door (Mark 13:29). Thus, we ready ourselves for the day we will hear the trumpet and the shout (1 Thess. 4:16) before we are caught up to meet the Lord, not on earth, but in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17)

Now I know some of you out there may be thinking, "I have tried this marriage thing and it did not work out so good for me." Perhaps others of you have been happily married for several years or maybe not so happily married. Maybe you are yet single not having found "the one". You might even be asking yourself, "Why would a perfect God give His perfect Son to someone as imperfect as me? If the marriage is to be validated on my purity, I deserve only divorce or stoning because I sin miserably; I mess up constantly; I fail continually."

Good News! The validation of our relationship with our Bridegroom doesn't depend on our sinlessness, but on His. It is the vesture dipped in His blood (Rev. 19:13) that allows us to be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27) Blessed are those who realize the price has been paid, the work has been done.

Dear beloved, If you have said, "Lord, I know I have sinned and failed, but I believe You love me and that You paid the price for me," Rejoice! Be glad! Celebrate! A future of romance and wedding plans await you!