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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL (don't write about the song) (04/02/15)
I bid my parents goodnight before retiring one last time to my childhood bedroom. Tomorrow everything changes, including my name. No more hugging Mum goodnight, no more trying to beat my brother and sister to the bathroom, or else wait a century for them to finish. Tomorrow, sharing a bathroom is just one of the details Danny and I will have to figure out as we begin married life.

I open the bag hanging from my wardrobe door and admire my shimmering ivory satin gown. I brush the soft netting of my veil to one side to get a closer look at the detail on my gown. Seeing is one thing, but touching its intricate embroidery makes it all feel that little bit more real, even though I'm terrified of marking it. A thousandth inspection temporarily reassures me that shoes, garter, tiara, purse and jewellery haven't gone walkabout. I take one more look at the pearl cross Danny gave me earlier today. I'm blown away that he gave me a family heirloom - a very tangible sign that I'm joining his family.

I pull back the pink patchwork quilt and turn out the light as I climb into bed, the same bed I've slept in nearly every night since being out of a cot. I try to sleep - I need to sleep- but every attempt brings a fresh wave of anxiety and what ifs surging through my brain.

I'm not worrying about minor disasters like the cake failing to appear. While that might be embarrassing, it won't matter long-term. But those huge, life-changing vows - the thought of those and all they entail sends chills down my spine. Tomorrow I'll be standing before Danny, God, my family and friends, not to mention my in-laws to be, pledging to love and cherish him until death parts us, come what may. I know I shouldn't catastrophise, but I can't help wondering how I can possibly live up to that standard. Can I, in good conscience, swear before God that I'll always love and honour Danny? I mean, what happens if Danny and I fall out with each other? Or, God forbid, one of us cheats on the other? No marriage is affair-proof; we witnessed the seemingly perfect marriage of two of our friends torn apart by lies and infidelity only last year. There are just so many things both within and outside our control. Will loving each other be enough to get us through?

Love - a short word, but with endless power. I feel my heart beating faster, just knowing I'll see him tomorrow. Every night when he leaves to go home, it's like half of me walks out of the door with him, leaving me incomplete - simple as that. I feel my heart beating faster, just knowing that when I see him at the altar tomorrow, all those goodbyes become a thing of the past. I remember the day he proposed. I could see in his eyes how desperately he was hoping and praying I'd give him the answer I gave. The peace I felt flooding through me told me I'd made the right decision too. And I feel at peace marrying Danny - I'm certain he's the right man for me - I'm just terrified I'm not going to be the wife he deserves.

I stop focussing on my fear of the future, enabling the simple truth that I love Danny and he loves me to shine clearer and brighter. I've been trusting in that love all through our relationship and our engagement. I need to trust that now and not my fears.

Thinking about trust takes me back to the two Scripture passages I read on the day I gave my life to Christ: that He would always be with me, and that He would send His Holy Spirit to be my helper and comforter. Reassured by His promises, the thought of making these vows before God becomes more of a source of comfort than terror. I have faith that He will give me whatever grace I need to not just live out but love out my commitment, and be the best wife I can be - the wife God made me to be.

As truth's quiet whisper silences what ifs' clamouring, moonlight beams penetrate the worn blinds and kiss my eyelids. Their peace radiates through my whole being. At last I settle down to sleep, knowing that all is well.

Author's note:


Scripture Matt 28:20
John 14:16
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This article has been read 674 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Verna Cole Mitchell 
04/10/15
This is a great piece to show that you need the comfort of peace and security before making a life-long commitment,
Charla Diehl
04/10/15
This is a lovely piece that points the reader to God during our moments of fear--and how then, we can experience His peace.
Danielle King 
04/10/15
Though I know this is fiction you could have been describing my last minute panic many moons ago. Fortunately, after the deed was done I settled down into domesticity... sometimes!

This is a lovely story for the topic and portrays your MC's faith shining through in the end. I especially liked your descriptive wording in the end paragraph.
Lollie Hofer 
04/10/15
Sweet story. I like how God's word and her soon-to-be-husband's love reassures her all is well. We can never go wrong when we reflect on His word for our lives.
LaVonne Wood
04/11/15
I like the focuss of your MC, wanting to be a good wife. Too many marry hoping their mate can meet all "their" needs.

Nice entry for the contest. Blessing, LaVonne
Margaret Kearley
04/11/15
This is a lovely take on the topic - fears and uncertainties (felt by so many in this position) are put in their place by the promises of God and a soul right with Him. Lovely writing. I enjoyed this.
Leigh MacKelvey
04/11/15
What everyone else said! Words seemed to flow well and your poetic descriptions added so much to this story. No red ink to give!
Toni Babcock 
04/11/15
Great piece, lovely.
Ellen Carr 
04/12/15
I really enjoyed your MC's thoughts on the night before her wedding. They are very well expressed and ring true.
Lois Lewis
04/13/15
Nice to see someone who isn't thinking, "If it doesn't work out, I can always get a divorce." Thanks for writing it. Good luck in the Challenge!
C D Swanson 
04/14/15
Great job with the topic. Well done with a great message.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/17/15
What a lovely story. You took me right into the bedroom with your MC. Congratulations on ranking 23 overall!