Finding Sacred in the Simple

Finding Sacred in the Simple
Author: Grace Hill, Outreach + Foster WV Director
I Do, but Do I? - Part 1

In life, there are few moments you dream of from a young age. Getting married was one of mine. I dreamt of who I’d marry, when I’d get married, who would be there, and how it would all look. Fast forward to 2020 as uncertainty swept across the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic left many facing unexpected challenges, including the heart-wrenching decision to cancel planned weddings, mine being one of them.

Six days before our dream wedding, my husband tested positive for COVID. I was devastated. I was already heartbroken over finding out many family members weren’t coming because of the pandemic, but having to cancel it because the groom couldn’t be there was never something I considered. All of the dreaming and planning felt wasted at that moment.

We decided to still get married on our original date and have a smaller celebration a few weeks later. We got married in my parent’s living room with both sets of our parents present. Being a part of Generation Z has its challenges, along with the rise of social media. It gave me a false idea of how my “wedding day” needed to look. I was reminded that our marriage was not about the big party or showiness of it all. We chose to trust that God’s timing was always perfect, even though we didn’t understand it.  

As Christians, we are called to walk in faith, trusting in God's plan even when it diverges from our own. Marriage as ordained by God, is a covenant between a man and a woman—a reflection of His eternal love and faithfulness. 

– Genesis 2:24

Marriage matters to God because it reflects the depth of His love for His people. Just as Christ laid down His life for His bride, the Church, so too, are husbands and wives called to sacrificially love and honor one another. In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, marriage became a testament to the transformative power of God's love—a testament to His sovereignty—a reminder that His purposes prevail even in the face of adversity. Our ceremony looked nothing like I thought it would, but this was God’s perfect plan all along.

All of the complexities following the wedding left me in a really dark place. I wasn’t just upset that I didn't get my dream wedding; I was upset because the gospel wasn’t going to be shared with hundreds of people and some who didn’t know Jesus. My heart was for people to come to know Jesus because of our lives. Now, I know that God used this situation and our marriage to make himself known differently. I find comfort in the knowledge that His plans are perfect, even when they lead us through unexpected valleys.

In a world where the institution of marriage is often questioned and devalued, may your marriage or life be a beacon of hope and a testament to God's unfailing love in a world that longs for true and lasting fulfillment.