Engagement.

     Over the last few years I've been learning more about what marriage actually represents, how it is intended to be a divine reflection. I'm sure much more understanding and growth will come once I step into the role of wife, but for the time being I am in the very new role of fiancee. I think this may be overlooked quite a bit, though what do I know? I just got here! But now that I have actually arrived, I'm beginning to see that this current place of engagement is a divine reflection all its own.

A man, with a lot of love for me, knelt down before me to share that love, offer himself to me and ask me to be his. How beautiful is that? It was most definitely magical and romantic with the help of rain, fireworks and applause, but there is something so much bigger. He made an offer, to give his life to serve me, put me above himself and take care of me for life. Can you start to see how a proposal and period of engagement is it's own reflection of Godly love? Christ humbled himself by offering his whole life for us, wanting to serve us and raise us up by freely giving up his life. So, before we could be reunited with the Father, before we could have a true, love-filled relationship with Jesus, he needed to make a proposal.Yet, it is not forceful and in both cases I have freedom to accept or refuse. But I so greatly desire a close relationship with Christ Jesus, to be one again with him, and so too to be united and one with the man I love. Soon we will become one and I will start to see more clearly marriage's representative purpose and will try to uphold it as best I (we) can. It's pretty amazing, isn't it? - if you will remind yourself or perhaps for the first time check out the intention of marriage. Being one God in three persons, the Son and the Father with the Holy Spirit are one. God. However, the Son submits to the Father's authority as leader. This alone is a lot to wrap your head around, I understand, but this relationship and knowing that marriage should act the same is a beautiful picture. But, it doesn't stop there. A husband and wife are meant to resemble Christ and the Church. He humbled himself for the good of the body and in turn the Church serves Him. One taking care of the other, the husband and wife (with the Lord at the center) will always be held.

     It will be a challenge striving to portray this image and I know there is much to learn and put to practice, but having a small piece of understanding before I even step into that role is so encouraging. I'm excited to learn more about the picture of marriage over these next few months and hopefully better prepare myself for one of the most beautiful relationships and honoring roles a woman can have.