You haven't come to this blog by accident. No matter how despondent you may feel towards marriage, I'm here to tell you that it will be a glorious gift for you. You have not been forgotten about! And it's never too late for your romance story to begin!
As you wait for the gift of your marriage to arrive, continue to enjoy life in the now and prepare you heart for the good, good loving to come. But don't forget to lavish in the good, good love that you have in your life at this very moment.
For those of you that have chosen to wait and not get caught up in a lot of relationship drama in the goal of preserving your heart's affection for the real deal, what I can tell you, is that it will be so good that you won't have a lot of drama and baggage to bring into your new love story. And if you do have baggage, let today be the day your healing journey begins.
I was recently chatting with a beautiful sweet lady friend of mine the other day, and she shared how shocked a particular male friend of hers was that she didn't have a lot of drama and baggage like most ladies he'd seen or dated. And her wonderful and bold reply to him was, "Yeah. I have my stuff together."
I absolutely love that. She wasn't saying that she didn't want a man in her life, but she was saying that she so welcomes the presence of a good man in her life that she doesn't want to waste time hashing out tons of baggage and drama issues with him, but wants to spend more time enjoying his company and the love that's being fostered in romance, when that relationship comes.
As you already know, one of my favorite things to do in life is to pray for future marriages. And to encourage ladies that are on the journey of waiting to be married, whether they are single or in a dating relationship, but especially if they are over the age of 30.
I myself, being 32, am waiting for my own love story to unfold, but I have been encouraged this year like never before that my own love story has not been forgotten about by God. No. Nothing dramatic has happened just yet. Believe me, I would have let you know! But I do look forward to the day I become a "Savvy Sonsie Bride" and have the privilege of sharing those photos with you ;)
With that said, if you desire prayer and encouragement regarding your own love story. Feel free to shoot me an email message: thesavvysonsiebride@gmail.com I'd love nothing more than to pray for you and with you on this journey!
We now resume the wonderful love story of Mercedes and Herbie. And how God orchestrated something so bold, so new, and of course...so unexpected...
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What is the very first thing a bride-to-be should tackle in planning her wedding?
"Why are you getting married?" If you cannot honestly answer that question or if you don't want to reflect on the answer, stop planning. The next thing to tackle would be Godly counsel from people who can be trusted to speak into the lives of the bride and groom. Next would be lots of prayer. I am not being pat. Pray over the details, invite God into the planning. You would be thoroughly amazed in the ways that God shows up in these just very beautiful, intimate ways. From the caterer to the photographer, he is more than pleased to delight you in the small ways that he consistently shows up.
Who were you top 3 favorite Vendors (Photographers, Catering, Location, etc.) of your wedding day?
I wanted something very simple and intimate. My best friend is an event/wedding planner and I still had all my original stuff from when the first wedding date had been cancelled. (chuckles) I didn't have to do anything but pull stuff out the basement and closet. We got married in my aunt's backyard, which was fitting since her prophetic dreams had played into the big day.
What was your favorite part of your wedding day?
The simplicity of it all. I had asked God to put together the day as he saw fit and he did. It was lovely but in a very simplistic way. It made me think that we make these weddings into something I don't know they were intended to be. There weren't a bunch of strangers and long lost friends surrounding us, but people who really walked with us closely in our lives. It was about two people taking vows before God and family. Nothing was missing. What could be more beautiful than that? It was just so reassuring.
What are 3 key things to remember for a bride approaching her own wedding day?
You will get nervous. You will self-doubt over details, yourself, your mate, your in-laws, you name it- but somewhere in all of that is a chance for you to exercise some faith and trust, that God has you, that you aren't big enough to mess up his plans and everything will fall in place as it should. Remember that. Relax into that mindset. Appoint somebody to remind of you of that.
What can women do that are in "waiting" for God's best? What are some practical things they can walk out?
One thing that was really helpful to me was posting scripture on my bedroom wall and closet door. I rephrased the scripture so that it spoke directly to me every morning. I posted this, "Being single means I am called to an extraordinary purpose. It means I can serve God without distraction." That helped me on the days that I felt lonely. It helped me on the days when I was tempted to believe the enemy's lies, that I was unattractive, forgotten etc etc. It also gave me joy, that there was more to life than sitting up waiting for some man. That God had plans for the day and we had things to do and places to be, it made it so adventuresome.
I also had deliberate dates with the lover of my soul. I dressed up as I would for a suitor. From perfume to manicured toes. It may sound ridiculous but it works. I learned that if I could not serve, respond, entreat the lover of my soul; then I really couldn't expect to do those things for a mate. God is first. He really does want and desire relationships with his children where we seek him as the giver and not just his gifts. The gifts are like side dishes, but Jesus? He is the whole enchilada!
And lastly, from your heart, what do you want to say to all of those amazing ladies in waiting?
Trust him. Spend some time reflecting over your relationships with others. Are there places that are still hurting, hidden and undisclosed? How do you react in a moment of fear, anger, disappointment? These questions lead you to places that you will have to go, if you desire a healthy relationship with a life partner. Week one of the marriage is probably not the place for them to come toppling down and unfold. Do the work. People just slap the scripture around, "He that finds a wife, finds a good thing." But we overlook that the husband found a wife. Meaning she was already equipped in that vocation AND she was a good thing. The two go together. Instead of concentrating on being found or being a wife. Ask God to shape you into a good thing. You won't be disappointed at all.
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Thank you Mercedes, for encouraging us and sharing your beautiful and divinely orchestrated love and wedding story! May God continue to bless your amazing marriage! xox
