Have you envisioned it, ladies? If you’re being honest, the answer is probably thousands of times. The dress, the flower arrangements, outside, inside, the bridal party. You’ve most likely covered it all and changed your mind countless times. But one thing remains the same- you will emerge in the best dress that makes you feel absolutely breath taking; you’ll have your hair look better than it has or will look on any other day of your life; and you will have butterflies that can’t be tamed or caught because you know you’re walking towards a man you will love forever.

Have you stopped and thought you’ll be married twice? We are the bride of God. Someone who loves us unconditionally and with His whole heart. He puts up with our mood swings, our cheating, our lying, and our deceit. He holds us, carries us, and picks us up when we fall. He chases after us and runs to us with open arms when we make our way back to Him. He forgives and forgives and forgives.

I’ve never thought of an earthly marriage as a “practice run” by any means. When I actually stop and think, it kind of is just that, isn’t it? I am called to love God first and foremost and for all eternity. He calls me His beloved, His bride. I truly believe God created marriage as a way to show us, “Hey you think this is great, just wait till you’re with me forever!” I think He wanted to show us how much better it will even be. Marriage is amazing. The idea of having another person “complete” you - to love you despite your morning breath, your days of yelling and being bitter, your bad attitude, the times you say you just don’t “feel it” anymore.

God loves us more than that all the time! God wants all of us. Every single ounce of ourselves. How often do we give ourselves to other people and things before Him? Can we not stop and see every time we do that, it’s like breaking up with God and saying “It’s not you, it’s me. I just need to be single for awhile. Sow some wild oats.” Any of the lines we give to other people, do we realize we give them to God even more? I don’t want to keep living a life that is breaking the heart of a God who longs for all of me. It’s amazing that He does. So why keep searching as if He isn’t enough?

I want to wear white on my wedding day. I want all of my friends and my family there and a big dance floor. But most importantly, i want to be in love and sold out to God first and forever and simply be blessed by the man God will bring me to. I want to have my “practice run” while i wait for God to take me home to with Him as His shining bride.