We had returned from church that Sunday, had lunch and then
settled in for a short nap before we were to photograph a wedding when the office phone
rang. I usually let the answering
machine get the Sunday or the night calls but since I was close to the phone, I
picked it up.
“Photos by John and That Special Touch. This is Jo Ann. May I help you?”
“Mrs. Sw-w-w-w of-f-f-ford?” The voice on the other end was
obviously hysterical. “ I-I-I-I-I
j-j-j-j-just s-s-s-s unzipped t-t-t-t-the bag-g-g-g my bridal gown was
i-in-n-n-n and it’s not there !! M-m-m-m
slip-p-p-p is there b-b-b-b-b my g-g-g-gown isn’t?” She blubbered and
sniffled and then wailed again, “W-w-what
am I-I-I-I gonna do-o-o-o-?
“It will be okay.
I’ll take care of it and call you back. Give me the number where you can
be reached and try not to worry.” In the back of my mind, I was thinking this poor
bride might have to be married in her blue jeans if I couldn’t work some sort
of miracle.
The Thorncrown wedding was scheduled for later that
afternoon and the bride and her family had driven in from a town in Oklahoma
some five hours away. Yes, this was one of the many emergencies a wedding
consultant faces. Obviously, this poor bride was about to have a nervous
breakdown and she thought I could save the day.
Thankfully, I had the home number of the lady who owned the bridal shop
in Eureka Springs. I dialed her number all the while praying that she would
answer and wasn’t out of town. I was much relieved when she answered. I told
her of the bride’s plight. I called the
bride back; told her where to meet me and, thankfully, she was able to find a
gown similar to the one still hanging in her closet in Oklahoma. The day was saved !! And, as she entered the doorway to the
chapel, radiant in her last minute gown, she and I smiled at each other knowing
what terrible emergency had been averted.
I am remembering our days in the wedding business as I see
photographs of engagements or weddings posted on Facebook. And, I recall so many other times when the
unexpected happened and we were called to pull off miracles. I think of the
upcoming wedding of Granddaughter # 2 next month and pray that there will be no
such emergencies that evening.
And, during this Easter season, I am reminded of the promise
that one day Christ will return for His bride; the church. “I saw the Holy
City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a
bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:2 NIV
And, I wonder how many of us will be caught unprepared, as
was the bride I referred to.
“But no one knows the date and hour when the end will be—not
even the angels. No, nor even God’s Son. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:26
TLB
Oh, we may think we have everything in order just as she was
certain her dress would be hanging in the bag she opened that Sunday afternoon
only to learn that the preparation she thought was complete, wasn’t.
Are you sure that when the time comes for you to meet our
Lord face to face, there will be no surprises?
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