From an aisle into eternity...

The aisle stretches out before me, deep red rose petals scattered about like a Hansel and Gretel bread crumb trail to home. They lead to your feet, and it's so fitting, because I know I belong with you. As I pass under the door, my eyes forge the way, following the delicate petals to Your feet. As I lift my eyes, I see, at last, Your face. You are radiant, and I am overwhelmed by the look you are giving me, a look wrapped so intensely in love. It rages like fire behind your eyes, and even at the end of this aisle, I can still feel the warmth. It is a look meant for me, because when you saw something no one else did, you called me, impossibly, yours. It's almost too much to take, knowing how good you are, and knowing I don't even deserve to be wearing white. For a fleeting moment, fear spurs me to turn and run. But you extend your hand and beckon me, and my fears fall away. There will be no runaway bride tonight, and even if I could will myself to run, I know you'd chase me for all eternity. But here, in this moment, you call me to you. I cannot contain my joy in the reassurance you demonstrated with that simply physical gesture: the expression of your desire for me. You want me. Oh, my Love! My knees are weak, and I take a shaky step, willing my feet to run, to carry me to you quickly so I can be with you now. But there is something so tender about these purposeful steps I am taking as you hold your gaze steady with mine. I rest in these peaceful moments as I get closer to you, my past now insignificant and my white dress swishing around my feet. I am made beautiful with each step that brings me closer to being made one with you. My heart is full to bursting, and I cannot contain the smile that sits comfortably on my lips. With my eyes fixed on you, nothing else matters. Nothing in this aisle could keep me from you. Even the delighted whispers from among this crowd of those I love pales in comparison to the love I have in you. I step in time to music, finding even the music is not as sweet in my ears as the promises and the hope that have settled there from your lips. It seems I've walked this aisle for so long, but yet suddenly I have arrived at your side. You look gently in my eyes and speak the most beautiful vow of love, a love that is not just "death do us part", but eternal, and enduring. I give my vow to you, for better or worse, pledging my heart to the one that has given me breath, and endless gifts after. And suddenly, the veil is lifted, and you bend down to kiss your bride. In a holy and reverent way, you make us one, and I am made perfect by the purity in your kiss. I was just a girl wracked in sin, shackled and enslaven to the world... until you freed me. You cleansed me, pursued me, romanced me, and established your covenant with me forever. Oh Love, my heart is yours! I am yours forever, with eternity unfolding to share in your intimate, satisfying, wildly passionate and gentle-forehead-kissing love!

Chosen...
called up out of the dust,
while I was still dead,
that I may know life,
abundant life,
and the Giver of it.

That I may spend every breath
praising the Creator who formed me,
who made me a masterpiece
when I was still broken.

And even though I was bare in shame,
exposed and naked,
you clothed me,
with robes of righteousness
and garments of salvation.
You called me Yours.

Adorned in Your LOVE,
I cannot escape it
for it is relentless,
and it reaches farther than my deepest transgression.
Nothing I do is adequate,
nothing I can give is fit for a King,
and yet, you extend Your love,
undeserved,
and pour it onto me.
You make me radiant and beautiful.

You have plucked me out of death,
bore the cross
and scorned the wrath of what separated us.
You redeemed me
to place a crown of jewels on my head
where you wore thorns.

Your passion is unparalleled,
you are jealous for me,
with a jealousy that is unyielding as the grave.
I love you,
and I will proclaim my vow of love to you forever,
my Love, my Savior, my King.

I will become one with you,
journey into the places you have prepared for me,
rest in the goodness you lavish,
and yearn to learn you more.
I will dive into Your depths and be satisfied,
and yet never even penetrate the vastness of Your mystery.

I am a Bride,
made beautiful by the Love in the eyes of my Lover.
Washed clean and pure in the blood flowing out of His nail scarred hands,
and the side where He was pierced.
And I will walk that aisle,
His love song singing over me,
proclaiming His delight in me,
the song of the chosen and redeemed,
the loved and unclean,
made new.