Martina & Nathan – Wedding Day Photos, Wayside Chapel, Palos Heights IL

May 25, 2017

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

This is the verse that was read at this beautiful couple’s wedding this past Saturday. As I’ve gotten to speak to Martina and Nathan in the days leading up to their wedding, it’s been so sweet to see their love for each other, their heart for Jesus, and their gratitude for how He has provided for their needs as they prepared for this wedding.

Now, real life begins and the words of this verse become ever so much more important to hide away in their hearts. ‘Not easily angered’ ‘Keeps no record of wrongs’…these, in particular, have been (often still are) hard for me in my own marriage. I think that being married does a great job of shining a light on the ‘not so pretty’ aspects of our personality that we may not even know exist. I didn’t know I could get so angry…so impatient, be so insecure. All these qualities seemed to come out of nowhere once I was married, which is pretty sad as I think back. There truly is much to learn – not just about our spouse, but about ourselves. But – I think God used my marriage to remind me of my need for Him, his mercy and his grace EVERY DAY so I could draw closer to Him, and allow him to help me be the best wife I can be. Because I have many areas of weakness, I’m so thankful that His ‘power is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9) That’s really great news!

I pray that the verses spoken at this wedding are more than just something pretty said at their ceremony. I pray that Martina and Nathan will hide these words in their hearts, so that – in their hardest moments – God will remind them of His definition of love and then work in their hearts so that their words and actions toward each other will be LOVING and glorifying to Him.

Thanks again to this lovely couple for allowing me to be part of their awesome day! ❤️