Family Wedding
I’m excited to travel to Pittsburgh this weekend to witness a special family wedding. Skyler, my niece far left, was a flower girl in my wedding 24 years ago. She is the oldest grandchild and the first, out of 14 Roeshot grandchildren, to be married.
My wedding day
The anticipation has me recalling my wedding day. A damp, dark day in Edinburgh Scotland. Dec. 30th 1994. I was older than most brides, but still felt very uncertain. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Doug. Our marriage was not a whim. We were best friends and had known each other for almost ten years. But it was the marriage part that caused some panic. I loved my independence and it felt a bit as if I was giving something up. At 33, though, I really wanted to be a mom. In my view a mom seemed less risky because I could still call the shots. I decided I wanted to be a mom, more than I wanted to be certain about becoming Doug’s wife. In that moment, I embraced the uncertainty of marriage and in the proper Scottish tradition said “I will” and became Mrs. Douglas Hucke.
Happily Ever After
Of course, ever since that day, it has been blissful and smooth and problem free — just like the fairy tale, Happily Ever After. (SARCASM at it’s finest!) . God has blessed my marriage. If I had known what I know now, there would have been zero hesitation. But even still it has been a laboratory for growth. It has required compromise and trust and forgiveness and love. Thankfully, from the start, God has been at the center. A detail that cannot be overlooked or overstated.
Uncertainty and Trust
What if I didn’t risk it? What if I waited until I was certain? Who knows if I ever would have been certain? The point is, uncertainty is nothing new. On my wedding day, uncertainty was already a familiar and unwanted friend. Uncertainty in all flavors, big and small, has been a common theme in my life. In this current season, perhaps because uncertainty lingers, I am slowly beginning to get it. It is so very hard for me because uncertainty takes away my control. OUCH.
As He is lovingly scraping the cataracts from my eyes, I am beginning to see His purpose in it. Uncertainty is the frequent and effective tool the Lord uses to grow my trust. Yes uncertainty removes my control, but at the same time, it invites trust.
What will grow?
Picture this…I have this big petri dish, like the one in 7th grade science class. The agar (is that what it is called?) is dense, scary, risky uncertainty. Cells from my heart, my will, and my mind are all carefully placed on the agar. The experiment is designed to see what will grow. Something will grow. Will I grow fear and anxiety, or will I grow trust in the Lord?
With history as the kind, patient teacher, it feels as if God is pointing to my marriage now and saying “SEE”?!!!! Here is some evidence. See what we have grown, together?
Isaiah 26:3. “You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Thank you Doug for 24 years and counting and for letting me think I call at least some of the shots. And thank you God for meeting us in that place of uncertainty to mold us and make us into a stronger marriage than I thought was possible.
#GodsGotThis
Debbie Hucke
I absolutely love the verse from Isaiah that you shared! The “perfect peace” and “whose mind is steadfast” parts really spoke to me, because even in times of uncertainty, if we keep our minds and eyes on God, we will have peace in our souls. Doesn’t mean the uncertainty goes away, far from it, but you know, deep down, that God is with you, especially if you ask him to be with you – whether it’s walking with us, holding our hand, or even carrying us if we feel weak and super uncertain about whatever the situation is. At least those are images in my mind that I relate to. 🙂
…Isaiah is one of those Old Testament prophets that, frankly, I don’t read much as I have always thought of him as sorta scary, even a bit of a nutcase. He speaks great truth though. He can be very harsh, and I imagine that a lot of the people of his times thought he was scary and harsh too. But I am going to make a true effort to read more of Isaiah!
Love that you and Doug were married in the Christmas season, with that beautiful Christmas ???? tree at the church you were married in. Gorgeous setting for a gorgeous couple. …Advent and Christmas is my favorite time of the year.
Thanks for this post, Debbie. As always, inspiring, great insights.
Isaiah, the nutcase,according to dawn. Love that. As always, thanks for your encouragement.
Loved the wedding pic’s.
I know from our standpoint , marriage changes to what I feel is better, richer, and more God centered. Randy and I have grown together in our love of Christ!
If you’ve tried as many times as I have to get marriage right, by the 3rd time you are more certain of what you want and what God’s intention is for your life!!
Sounds like wisdom to me Betsy! Thanks for your comment.