A Bridal Downpour

I spent much of yesterday and this morning preparing for a wedding shower which was to be held on my beautiful patio. Flowers were bought, planters were hung, extra chairs obtained and general tidying carried out.

The weather forecast didn't look so promising but it has been wrong before.

So I hoped and prayed for an opening of sunshine for the evening.

It was not to be.

Wind turned to showers which turned into more wind and finally a long hard downpour.

The ground is incredibly happy and wet.

My patio was very wet too...

We had quite a literal bridal shower.

So, blessed are the flexible for we will not be snapped in half!

We brought the outdoors indoors as well as we could, put out dozens of tea lights, set the table with lace and flowers and covered it with cakes, fruit, vegetable platters and other goodies fit for royalty

Beautiful friends arrived with gifts, laughter and happy hearts.

We just love a good reason to gather around food and with Jesus in our midst. Of course I made sure to invite Him to come because His presence is essential.

My dear future daughter shone with delight and treated the guests with such kindness, extending hugs after every gift opening. The theme was garden and kitchen and there was plenty of both - big pots of lavender, bleeding hearts, a golden tomato plant and thai basil.

Towels, mugs, baking ware and wooden trays.

A plethora of goodness was shared and received with joy.

My heart is full of relief and gratefulness.

Relief for a happy party that honored my girl to be.

Gratefulness for my own daughter and dear friends who made the evening what it was with their acts of service; baking, cleaning, decorating and preparing.

I am surrounded by love and goodness.

And there is more to come.

Where the enemy has sought in recent days to bring division and strife and fear and anxiety, the Lord has brought peace and the power to overcome.

The other day He gave me 2 Chronicles 20 and I am choosing to live it by faith.

english standard version
5And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, 6and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.

Thus says the LORD to you,'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. 16Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you."

He has been with me and will continue to be.

For now and forevermore.

Amen and Hallelujah.