For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
–Isaiah 62:5

”I’m desperate!” my friend pleaded. “My regular helper broke her leg. I’m booked to take wedding photographs this weekend. Can you help me?”

“I’m hardly a professional photographer,” I protested.

“You’ll do fine,” she said.

I agreed to help, but I was nervous because the whole reason my friend needed me was to get one shot that she couldn’t. And I was afraid I’d miss it.

Since her focus was on the bride, my friend was at the front of the church when the ceremony started. My job: to get a picture of the groom when he first saw his bride.

“That’s the moment,” I was told. “It doesn’t last long, but it’s always there. The music starts. He turns. He sees her, and he glows with love. I don’t care if you don’t take a single other photo that I can use. Don’t miss that.”

The time came. The bride started down the aisle. The young man saw his love walking toward him….

He beamed as love overwhelmed him. It filled him and flowed from him. I snapped away, immortalizing the moment.

As a bridegroom looks at his bride, bursting with love and promise, so God sees us when we turn to Him. He rejoices that we have decided to join our lives with Him and live with Him forever.

Prayer

Loving, eternal God, Thank You for looking at me with love. Help me never to stop walking toward You. In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Amen.

Reflection

What about my life is cause for God’s rejoicing?