When a girl becomes engaged, she starts down a unique path that will never be repeated. After she receives a ring of commitment from her future husband, she moves through her last months as a single, focusing on becoming prepared to marry.

Part of that is the pleasure of receiving gifts for the new home-to-be. Today we had the fun of attending a Chicago bridal shower for our son Klaus’ bride-to-be, Brooke. Over scrumptious chicken salad we watched her open dishes and other items she and Klaus will need as they begin married life on June 22.

Brooke had never met many of those attending today’s shower (friends of mine), which might be tense for some brides. But she smiled through answering many questions as guests happily became acquainted with her. If she was stressed, it didn’t show, and she charmed us all.

When a bride and groom come together in marriage, it’s never just about the two individuals but is the union of two extended families. In recent months as we’ve been celebrating with Brooke and Klaus, our family and friends have been getting to know Brooke’s family and friends, and both groups are finding their worlds expanding to include the other. This phenomenon is one of the enchanting byproducts of doing marriage God’s way.

Today’s devotional thoughts were brought to us through Connie, a friend of mine since we were both in diapers. She compared two weddings: the one that will happen on June 22, and the one God is planning (for those who love him) at the end of the age. Scripture uses the symbolism of a wedding to help us understand the close relationship Jesus longs to have with us. He will be the groom, and we, the church, will be his bride. There will be a wedding feast the likes of which we’ve never seen, and he encourages us to look forward to it, even now, as he is preparing for it.

Connie said, “Brooke, there may be little things that go wrong on your wedding day, but as the Bride of Christ you will one day experience a perfect wedding. Earthly marriage may include set-backs, but marriage to Jesus as “The Lamb of God” will be flawless. It will be everything every bride hopes for in a relationship, without a single misunderstanding or mistake.

These thoughts got us all thinking. No marriage can be perfect. All husbands and wives get frustrated with each other at some point and experience disappointment. But the future bridegroom, Jesus, is already in love with Brooke and Klaus and wants their marriage to succeed so it can be an example of his future marriage to the church. So even before they get started, he has already made himself available for assistance, should their path ever need smoothing.

And over chocolate cake we all said, “Amen to that!”

“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9)