Where is the Bride?

by Cheryl Floyd 2007

Father, Father, help us. We are in such dire straits and yet we do not see for the planks in our eyes the desperation of our situation.

How true for America let alone your chosen bride.

Walking around in her blue jeans and heels her red lipstick smeared. He was looking for the wedding dress - beautiful and without wrinkle or blemish.

How "modern" she's become. He didn't want or need all the cameras and the lights and the press. The whole world was invited as guests not spectators. He expected His bride to be dressed and ready to walk the isle towards him, to be consecrated to him, and to walk the isle again beside him.

But instead, she's casually eating up the lime light smoking her cigarette and bragging about how she caught his eye and he'd just die for her! She winks her eye as she's quoted and photographed. What a bump for the marriage, she thinks! What a great start! She imagines all the great gifts, the reputation, and power she'll/they'll receive because of her PR efforts.

But instead of accolades the groom is forgotten. He is not approached; he is hardly mentioned accept within her context. He came for the marriage, but she seems too preoccupied with the wedding. He loves her. She is fascinated with him and what he can bring to her life. But she's forgotten when they first met. How she loved him then. She's forgotten that she was destitute, depressed, and despised. He elevated her with his companionship, his presence, and his love. He challenged her and corrected her but lead her gently into the beauty she is today. Now that beauty is all she sees. She has forgotten that beauty is only beautiful when rooted and blooming in Him.

Now, the wedding party is assembled, the reception is waiting, the witnesses are amassed. But what is the event? Where is the bride? For the groom stands alone. She is still but a woman betrothed. Her promise is put off for another hour. How long will the groom be patient? How long will he stand by? He is a powerful person with many commitments. She was supposed to be his partner. Oh, she's done much for his business with her PR savvy, but it wasn't what he was looking for. Now, she is barely acknowledging him as she makes yet another round of greetings and appearances to her public.

This was not how it was supposed to be. His hands are clenched. His jaw is set. Tears fall down his cheeks.

You are groomsmen. You are a bride's maid. What are you going to say to her. How shall you console Him? It is not the responsibility of the guests but that of the wedding party to set things right.

You, you are the bride.

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