In the Bright Place: Wisdom for Marriageনমুনা

In the Bright Place

We keep the wedding photos in an album tucked into the alcove underneath the stairs. It’s next to the flower vases I almost never use, old mason jars and napkin rings stacked in the far corner. The album’s pages are stiff, the cover’s leather soft, worn from years of fingers. 

That young girl, barely twenty-two, believed love would lead. She believed love would lead every future decision she would make. She believed the details would figure themselves out. 

Jesus, that girl didn’t know what she didn’t know. I think about her innocence; she believed she was going to be immune to tough times. Her story, of course, would be a happy one. It never dawned on her she would face challenges in her marriage.

Jesus, that girl of yours was bright and sweet but didn’t know you like I know you now. Those dark moments I didn’t see coming? That’s how I found you. That’s how I learned you stand steadfast. 

I want your kind of real life. I want to choose love here—even if it is more work than I ever thought.

So give me wisdom, Jesus. Let me see the path. Set my feet upon it. Let me hear your voice: This is the way. Walk in it. I will receive your wisdom and stay here with you, your arms wrapped fast around me, never letting go.