Relationships are Hard

I have known this. I have learned it time and time again. Sometimes if I am honest, I am not convinced that they are worth the effort they require. But even as I have been wrestling through this, I am increasingly convinced of God's great love for His people and of His sovereign hand. I am so thankful for His Word, which gently rebukes, corrects, admonishes and teaches. Oh yes, and it daily reminds me of the depths of His love and grace and of my great need for these precious friendships.

On a lighter note, here are some of my favorite pictures from the last few weeks.

a classic strudel bonding ritual

I love having teammates that encourage my ice cream addiction...at 9:30 a.m.

a great camping trip with wonderful friends

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one anonther above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer...Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another"

Romans 15

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Colossians 3

Wedding Palooza

I have been to a lot of weddings in my life. I have been to a lot of weddings this year and I have a lot more weddings to go to in the next few months. Most of these weddings have been really enjoyable, but I have to say that the two from this past weekend are always going to stand out in my memory as some of the sweetest pictures of what God intended when He created marriage.

Jasmine's wedding this weekend was a beautiful reminder of God's relentless pursuit of us in the midst of other lesser lovers. I loved how Jasmine and Aaron seamlessly incorporated the Gospel into their ceremony, reception and their relationship. Individually and as a couple they love people so well. I have no doubt that their marriage will be a testimony of God's faithfulness to us as His Bride.

the girls from 401. (beth, jasmine, leah and i).
jasmine's wedding was such a sweet opportunity to catch up with dear old friends.

It was such a joy to see my dear friend Krista at the Butlers' wedding!

And then the Butler wedding. I absolutely loved living with Lori as her relationship with Dustin progressed. Her excitement and eagerness for her wedding day often brought to my mind the excitement and eagerness that we, as the Bride of Christ, should have for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. I love that Lori did not give up hope as she waited for Dustin, but rather, waited patiently, obediently, eagerly and rejoiced in the midst of it. That is how I want to wait for the coming of Christ. I would hate for that sweet day to come and me to have become inpatient in the waiting and have given myself to lesser lovers. How incredibly sweet it is that just as Dustin pursued Lori prior to their wedding day, Christ passionately pursues us!

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as bride adorns herself with her jewels.

~ Isaiah 61:10 ~

As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”

~ Isaiah 62:5 ~