“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
There is a popular saying that proclaims “a picture is worth a thousand words”, and I believe that photographers have an exceptional occupation that allows them to capture precious memories for people.
A few years ago, I had a very insightful conversation with a photographer and his wife, who was serving as his assistant. They were commenting about how stressful wedding jobs are for them due to the fact that things happen so quickly, and if you miss the moment... you missed the moment. Their other reason was the importance of the bride. When months of preparations do not go according to plan, it is difficult to photograph a stressful bride and make it look like this is the happiest day of her life. I quickly followed up with the question, "So what has been the most stressful situation that you have witnessed at a wedding?"
They immediately told this story: Once there was a bride who had just completed a final photo shoot in the church basement with all of her bridesmaids and was preparing to walk up the flight of stairs and into the church to be married. The processional music was playing and her bridesmaids had proceeded up the stairs, pausing at the church doorway entrance, and waiting for the bride's final accession from the basement. Unfortunately, as the bride was climbing up the basement steps, she unknowingly stepped on the front of her dress. As she proceeded to the next step, the weight of her previous footing caused her beautiful wedding dress to rip right up the center. The photographer and his wife stood in shock as the bride instantly turned to her father in horror. However, the loving father immediately came to his daughter’s rescue. He raced to his car where he retrieved a roll of duct tape from his tool box. As the organ music continued to play, the father was able to mend the tear on the inside of the fabric so that the tape would not show, wipe her tears, and walk her down the aisle. Her caring father saw the need for a serious repair job and tended to the task because he loved his precious child.
During this season of Lent, we are also reminded that sin has torn and separated us from our Heavenly Father. Just as the once-torn bridal dress was unacceptable, we were also torn by sin and unacceptable in God’s sight. But just as the bride’s loving father interceded and mended the dress, making it acceptable and usable, our loving Heavenly Father through the blood of His Son, Jesus, mended us. Through His death on the cross, Jesus mended our relationship with God, allowing us to be His children and live eternally with Him in Heaven. Once mended, the bride could go on with the wedding and begin her new life, and we, now mended by God’s work are able to begin our new lives totally reconciled to Him and enable to do His work.
Have a great week knowing how much He loves and cares for you!
Mrs. Palka