From the Liturgy of the Hours: "In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death." Can there be more hope than that? Can anything be more beautiful than a tenderly compassionate God?
I was reflecting after I received communion yesterday on the moment when they laid the cross on Christ's shoulders. Despite his immense pain he embraced it, loving us from the depths of his beautiful soul. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us. The dawn from on high as I understand it is our understanding of the depth of the love that he wants to give us. When that light breaks upon us, we must stay in it and allow it to stay in our hearts.
If there is anything I have learned firsthand from planning a wedding this year, it is that small things can become a really, really big deal and disturb your peace. I have never had a time in my life when getting everything "right" is so important on that one day- the guest list, the flowers, the centerpieces, the caterer, the music, the bridesmaids' dresses, and so much more. The sheer number of details alone can take my brain from a peaceful place to a frenzy of harried anxiety.
This next part is for me as much as for you: Do not allow that to happen!
This is my tiny little bit of hard-earned wisdom: if you take time to clear your mind and focus on the 'non-practical' things, i.e. the truth that you are LOVED unconditionally, those things that disturb your peace will shrink right back to their proper size. Now time to get off my computer and go tell Jesus a big thank you for everyone reading this right now and everything he has blessed me with (including the 'trials' of wedding planning;) )...