What an incredibly blessed weekend The Lavers had! Saturday was spent at Sixflags seeing my best friend's daughter at her cheer competition. She was awesome! And lets face it...any time Nikki and I get to spend time together, its all gravy:)Then Sunday was witness to God's never ending and all encompassing provision. Jesse and I were reminded yet again of how utterly loving and in control our Savior truly is.
I always enjoy singing. Its what I do. Its a huge part of who I am. But to do it for a second time at the wedding of a woman I love so very much...was a miracle and a testament to the power of God's love and favor.
Jamie Janus was beloved by my family from day one. But when she became Jamie Lilly...her place at our family table was forever set. See...she married a man I always considered my God-brother. Loren was the best friend of my uncle Robert. Robert may be my father's brother, but due to our closeness in age and in spirit, "brother" is the title he will always hold with me. Robert and Loren were inseparable; which meant that Loren was a constant at every family gathering. I loved Loren so very much. And though he is gone, I still talk to him and count him as a very real and present part of our family...and of my life.
Ya see...Loren died just three months after marrying Jamie. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that those three months were the best of his life. She paved the road for him toward salvation and to fundamentally grow in his spirituality. She was quite literally a God-send to him. His death shocked us, shook us and changed us in ways we are still realizing and dealing with. Though we were left with tears and questions, what we weren't left with was doubt. We all knew where he was. We all knew that Loren was sitting at the feet of Jesus.
I cannot fathom the pain and the empty hole Jamie experienced. I pray fervently that I never become familiar with that. But what I have witnessed over the past five years is nothing short of a mighty and miraculous work in her life.
One day, Jamie met Mike. Mike is a Christian man. Mike loves Jamie. Jamie loves Mike. Mike allows Jamie to keep Loren's memory close. Loren would have been great friends with Mike...of that I am sure. And just like I sang at the wedding of Jamie and Loren, then later at the going-home of Loren...Sunday I was able to sing at the wedding of Jamie and Mike.
Seeing God do His thing is often something we overlook. Life is hard, fast and busy. But on days like this...its so very humbling to have the opportunity to take it all in. God always provides if we allow Him. God always holds our hand, carries our load, whispers His wisdom in a weary ear. I. Am. In. Awe. And I am guilty of failing to give Him all praise and glory in the minutia of my own life.
Thank you Lord for allowing me to stand back and be reminded of how insignificant I really am. You healed a heart that at one point was sure it would be forever broken. You showered love and acceptance on a soul that on many a night was positive it was lost and undeserving. You did this for Jamie. And this lesson is not lost on me either. Thank you is insufficient. But its all I have. That...and my love and devotion.
Here's to many years of Christ centered love and happiness to Mike and Jamie Mullis. And for me and Jesse as well. And...for all of you too.
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