I got a call yesterday from a young man that works for my husband. He has an anniversary coming up and wants to do something special to surprise his sweet wife. They are cutest couple! He asked me if I would help him put together a weekend getaway that they would both remember. Man…how did he know this is right up my alley?!
I’ve spent the morning going to the web sites of some of my favorite places, making a list of special restaurants and fun things to do, trying to figure out what would make that young woman’s eyes light up and flood over with love for her man. It has made me giddy, not only because I am a hopeless romantic, but because I happen to know that my own sweet man is preparing a special anniversary trip for me!
It will be our 25th next month (Glory to God!), and he’s been working on it, literally, for months. I ADORE surprises, and even though there sits a green file folder marked “25th Wedding Anniversary” on his home office desk as I write, I have not peeked! I don’t want to know anything until He chooses to lavish it all on me! The anticipation, and knowledge that he is planning it, makes me feel so loved, I can scarcely imagine the overwhelming love I’ll feel when the surprise is unveiled.
As I was glorying in this love-fest this morning, there was a scripture that came to mind.
In my Father’s house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 KJV
Do you see it? This is a promise of epic proportion! This is a surprise that is being prepared by your Bridegroom. Yes, YOU. I don’t just mean the dewey-eyed bride, or the long-married wife, although the promise is certainly for them, too. I also mean the lonely single mom, the isolated, separated wife, the unexpectedly divorced woman, the desolate widow, the always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride. No matter which side of the aisle you’re walking, you have a bridegroom that is busy preparing a glorious mansion for you. He’s putting all the details together, but in the meantime, he’s building your anticipation with the kind of splendor only HE is capable of…a magnificent sunset…an unfathomable rainbow…the most perfect rose…until He unveils the surprise:
[The place He has prepared for you will be where] the city walls are decorated with every kind of precious stone…each gate is made of a single pearl. The great street of the city is of pure gold, like transparent glass. Rev. 21:19,21 NIV
And, best of all:
[After I] prepare [this] place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me. John 14:3 NIV
Then, your eyes will light up and flood over for love of your Bridegroom.
Hang on, even when it seems like the wait will kill you. Revel in the anticipation that His careful preparation yields…the surprise is so worth the wait!
Oh that is so cool! I love your pep talk and to think I was having a bummer day. I love surprises! I hope your 25th will be awesome, please do blog about it!
Hey Melinda…
I’ve seen your sweet face in some of the same places I visit and thought I would finally come see you! 🙂
I’ll be back again.
What a great thing you are doing for your husbands coworker. I bet they have a fabulous anniversary!
Blessings,
Fran