The Bewildered Bride

August 23, 2022

 

Today was the day.

Long awaited and dreamt of often.

She would meet her beloved and become betrothed.

Two lives would become one, enveloped in a heavenly covenant.

They shared a smile and faced one another before their families.

The ceremony was sweet and when their fathers agreed everything seemed to speed up.

 

Eyes met.

Hands shook.

And a promise was given, “I will come back soon.”

Heart sighed.

Cheeks Blushed.

Hands made ready for the coming wedding.

 

No date was set, so instead she would wait.

Anticipation stirred.

Preparation continued.

Weeks passed.

Then months.

And still nothing from her beloved.

 

A sound came from outdoors.

Feet pattered.

Hands clenched.

Eyes sought.

The streets lay empty.

Was love, hard won, so soon lost?

 

Time seemed to slow and more questions burgeoned forth.

Would the Father still give forth his son?

Had his mind changed?

Had her beloved’s heart grown timid, his love cold?

Answers fled and the remaining weight crushed her.

Her head rested against the window’s frame and her eyes drooped to closing.

 

A shout awakened her from her sleep.

Heart pounded.

Head spun.

Eyes blinked,

and saw a man coming up the hillside.

Joy burst forth like laughter, tickled and unkempt.

 

Standing to her feet, she smoothed out her dress and looked around.

Lamps lit.

Decorations hung.

People gathered.

Music began.

All was ready; the time had come.

 

She opened the door and filled her senses with him.

Face shone.

Smile crinkled.

Eyes burned.

Hand reached,

And took hers into it, pressing a kiss to its palm.

 

He said he would come, and he did.

How could she have doubted him?

Though the timing was not her own, faithful he remained.

It was all a part of the Father’s plan.

And now they would be together, never to be parted again.

“For I am my beloved’s, and He is mine.”