It is hard to describe how I felt walking down the aisle. I didn’t have a lot of time to wait. The entire day was a blessing – a miraculous reality in which I had so much overwhelming peace and joy. I literally could feel the Lord’s tangible presence. He was all over the day – every single intimate detail.
I used to think people were crazy when they said that God writes your love story, but I now know and fully believe that I am living that out – the Lord has been, is, and will write my love story. It is too perfect for imagination to create anything even remotely as beautiful, glorious, redemptive, or freeing.
His timing is beyond perfect as He transcends time. His grace is beyond measure. His love is beyond comprehension.
I remember thinking about how blessed I was by the day. By the early morning rain, and the prayers of loved ones who were surprised when I said I was ok with gray skies as it is better for pictures.
I remember how blessed I was to have people doing hair and make-up and pictures who are brothers and sisters in Christ, and being so grateful for the grace they displayed, even when things didn’t go exactly as planned or timed out.
I remember that there really wasn’t any down time. It seemed to flow from bridals to my dad meeting with me to tell me how proud he was of me, and how he remembered holding me in his arms, then he was off & I was changing into my beautiful satin blue heels, to my dad coming back to walk me from the bell tower to the chapel doors, which opened magnificently to a chapel full of people who radiated love and joy and beauty and grace.
I knew that without even looking in their eyes, because when my mentors opened those double doors, exuding such immense love, my eyes locked with my beloved, and I knew that he was mine. In that moment that our eyes met, I knew that I had found the one my soul & heart love, that I was my beloveds and He was mine, that the Lord had brought us on a journey already of joys and triumphs and valleys and trials.
And as I walked down the aisle, looking at my groom, seeing the love of Jesus, a depth like I had never seen from him before, I could not help but start singing the song we had picked for me to walk down the aisle to – “and it’s why I sing, your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on lips.” The Lord knew … He literally gave me this song. The first time I heard it, it made my heart sing. The songwriter so perfectly captured what my words could not. And what better way to begin our wedding ceremony than declaring the Lord’s praises. Declaring an anthem for our marriage – that we may praise the Lord in whatever we encounter in life as one.
Bethel Music – Ever Be Lyrics
Your love is devoted
like a ring of solid gold
Like a vow that is tested
like a covenant of old
Your love is enduring
through the winter rain
And beyond the horizon
with mercy for today
Faithful You have been
and faithful you will be
You pledge yourself to me
and it’s why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips
Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips (2X)
You Father the orphan
Your kindness makes us whole
You shoulder our weakness
And Your strength becomes our own
You’re making me like you
Clothing me in white
Bringing beauty from ashes
For You will have Your bride
Free of all her guilt
and rid of all her shame
And known by her true name
and it’s why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips
Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips (2X)
You will be praised You will be praised
With angels and saints we sing worthy are You Lord
You will be praised You will be praised
With angels and saints we sing worthy are You Lord
and it’s why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips
Your praise will ever be on my lips,
ever be on my lips (2X)