Feathering the Nest for Love

This morning, I am driving three-and-a-half hours to Alto, Texas, for some serious girly-girl business at Staci and Larry’s Wallace home and Epiphany Ranch!

Carl received a loving exemption from this trip. With bridal excitement, manicures, pedicures, and plenty of girl talk ahead, he was quite willing to stay home and attend his Bible studies and Rotary.

My drive will be filled with Christian music, perhaps an audiobook, and plenty of praise for God’s goodness and mercy. I also carried precious cargo: my “world-famous” cheese ball and crackers. That is my entire culinary assignment!

Meanwhile, Staci has been cooking, decorating, organizing, and preparing everything imaginable for tomorrow’s personal bridal shower honoring Christiane.f

Watching Staci reminds me of a mother bird feathering her nest -- gathering every twig, soft feather, and finishing touch so her soon-to-be daughter-in-love feels welcomed into the Wallace family.

Today, I’ll meet Christiane’s mother, Christine, and her grandmother, Nonna. Imagine that -- Nonna and Donna, also known as Nana, under one roof! There should be no shortage of love, laughter, or grandmotherly wisdom!

Occasions like this make my heart overflow. Our children have raised their children, protected them, prayed for them, and continually placed them into our Heavenly Father’s hands. Have there been ups and downs? Absolutely. Families rarely travel in a perfectly straight line.

But God!

Through celebrations, concerns, illnesses, victories, mistakes, and lessons learned, He has remained our driving force. Every difficult season has driven another strong peg of faith into the ground, teaching us what to do -- and occasionally what never to try again!

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3

Today isn’t merely about lovely decorations, delicious food, or beautifully polished nails. It celebrates the beginning of a marriage, two families coming together, and another love story entrusted to God.

I may have done plenty wrong along the way, but looking around at this family, I know God has multiplied every prayer, every act of love, and every step of faith.

Now, let the celebration -- and the cheese ball -- begin!