2020 Night Before Christmas

 Having taught American History for over half of my life, I'm a huge fan! (Notice that I didn't say "history buff"! You won't find me on Jeopardy or in any history bowl competition. Honestly, when under pressure - I tend to forget the names of some key players or offer the wrong dates for important battles.)  But, it's really the individual stories that impresses me most. You might be thinking that my interest in American History is mainly because I'm a teacher.  Or maybe it's because I'm simply a nerd at heart.  Whatever you think is fine- it won't hurt my feelings, and it doesn't change my mind.  I know the history of this great country and stories of its key players, the Patriots.

When my boys were in elementary school, I encouraged them to participate in the American Heritage Poetry Contest every year.  Both accommidated their mother's wishes. They memorized and recited poems about American Heroes each year.  As they prepared to recite their poems,  I had the opportunity to teach them about some ordinary people that behaved in extraordinary fashion - forever altering the history of our country.  

I wasn't the only one doing the educating, though.  How shocked I was when Nate revealed to me the subject of his fifth grade Social Studies Fair project.  I was blown away as he "taught his teacher/mom" about The Turtle.  Before that day, I was completely unaware that during the American Revolution a submarine,  The Turtle, was designed by Patriots to perform a suprise attack on British ships in Boston Harbor.  Who knew? In case you are wondering, The Turtle was not exactly successful at its mission, but Wow! Needless to say, he took his teacher/mom to school that day! And I have never forgotten it.  

Clearly, all of us can learn valuable lessons from the past. Those timeless lessons can make us better when we allow it. I know that I continue to learn invaluable lessons from Patriots of our past. These are the stories that cause me to self-reflect and self-evaluate my own personal role in history. What part will I play? Am I willing to make sacrifices so future generations can enjoy the liberities given to me? These are just a few of the questions that I have wrestled with on my journey.  

Last night while I was tossing some of these intense questions around in my mind, I decided to write a little poem.  Because Christmas is almost here, I thought, "Why not make it '2020 Night Before Christmas'?' So here it is-  my version of "2020 Night Before Christmas". I hope you enjoy! If you don't, it's fine. (You and I were awarded that liberty in our US Constitiution- Ammendment 1.) 

Dancing in the Rain

As many of you know, my oldest son, Peyton, was to marry the girl of his dreams on May 30, 2020.  Covid-19 pushed the ceremony back to July 24, 2020. The bride and groom moved forward with grace and confidence knowing that God's timing is always perfect.

The entire week both Peyton and Peyton expressed how they intended for their ceremony to praise God and present the gospel.  They were intentional and sincerely wanted  His will to be done.

On Thursday night July 23, we arrived to rehearse at the wedding site in Keatchie.  With a slightly overcast sky and a cool breeze, the calm waters from Lake Marie provided the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous outdoor wedding! Their wedding day was just hours away!

On Friday, July 24th, praise and worship music filled the girls' suite.  The bride and bridesmaids enjoyed the sweetest day.  And I kept an eye to the sky and shot several photos of the blue skies and fluffy white clouds while thanking God for this glorious day and this precious young lady that was an answer to many years of prayers. 

Each of the girls radiated beauty with a little help from Ashton and Grace, aka the make-up and hair dynamic duo. And the bride, she was simply stunning.  Confident. Graceful. Elegant.

The girls boarded the shuttle van to take them to the site.  Thereas and I followed the van in seperate vehicles, but we were both praying for the approaching clouds to disappear quickly. 

Once at Keatchie, Theresa and I boarded the van. The girls were adding last minute touch-ups to their hair and make-up.  And then the thunder roared and the bottom fell out.  And sweet Nikki, the bride's cousin, prayed the most sincere, honest prayer that comforted my soul.  The singing and praising continued followed by a peace that passes all understanding.  When the rains stopped, the bride was just giddy as she watched  umbrellas pop up like popcorn from all over the parking area. So many family and friends would not let a little thunderstorm keep them from this special ceremony.  

The wedding began, and just before the third bridesmaid made her way down the aisle, the bottom fell out again!  Within minutes, the reception tent was transformed into the ceremony site with a floral arbor and colorful arrangements lining the aisle.  And we began again.  Giggles and grins changed the atmosphere in a moment.  And it was magical.  

Peyton-Girl glided down the aisle looking like the covergirl of Bride's Magazine -the June edition no less. The ceremony was EVERYTHING that they had prayed it would be.  Chad acknowledged that someone there evidently needed to hear the gospel from the PA system that was only available in the reception tent.  Nothing more needed to be said.  It was their prayer- that the gospel be shared- and the Lord honored their prayers in a very real way- a thunderstorm on their wedding day. Who doesn't love to dance in the rain? 

It was spiritual ceremony where the Lord was honored.  We celebrated. We took numberous pictures. We danced. And we will always remember that special night.

The following day the hotel management commented to Theresa and me about the bride with "three inches of mud on the bottom hem of her dress".  Well, she wouldn't have it any other way!  And I am so thankful. Thankful for muddy dresses and muddy suits.  Thankful for friends and family that love us enough to get a little wet and messy. Thankful for muddy shoes and so many memories! I am mostly thankful for a God that listens to our prayers and chooses to honor them in the most creative, unique, memorable ways! 

Proverbs 21:19 states, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."