Collecting a Bride
As we drew closer, a rickety old jetty loomed out of the still morning mist. The launch pilot slipped the smooth running diesel into reverse at just the right time and the second mate leapt onto the foredeck to be ready to lash the painter to the wharf at the right time.
I was standing behind the pilot and feeling rather breathless now I was so close to my journeys end. Seven thousand miles across a storm tossed sea, risking death each day and living in cramped conditions for 4 months had taken its toll. I had been at sea for so long that eating a meagre diet had made me lean and thin.
But all that was worth it to be finally reaching my goal. I had waited years for this moment… I had prayed and sought the Lords advice, and had finally been given the green light to proceed. At first I had not been too sure, but as time went on, and after much talking to Jesus all the problems had been levelled, all the doubts had been washed away and a great peace had filled my heart.
For I was collecting my bride… a bride I had never seen in the flesh, but one whom Christ had led me to. I was travelling to a far country to carry away the love of my life.
So as the first mate fastened the painter, I eagerly scanned the shore for my best friend. Where was she? What did she really look like? Was she really what I had seen in the photos? Ah! All these thoughts and more flashed through my mind as I began to climb onto the funny old wharf.
As I stepped off the boat I looked around at the milling crowd… where was the young lady? I moved down the wharf with my suitcase in hand and noticed a shady dell with a park bench just to the wayside… not very far from the crowded jetty, yet far enough away for it to be peaceful under the tall elms and birches. The birds were singing in the trees above, and in the distance I could hear lambs crying for their mothers. A distance dog barked, a lone rooster crowed and over a nearby hedge a cow lowed softly.
The scene was so memorable; one I’ll never forget as long as I live. Slowly I let the lovely surroundings sink into my soul. Then suddenly my heart began to race. I had noticed a figure dressed in pure white sitting on the park bench. I moved closer to see more detail… I saw a pretty young woman with a beautiful countenance. Her Godliness shone on her sweet face… with eyes as blue as a spring sky, with cheeks like the softy mossy carpet of a forest floor, and with lips as tender as the morning sun there was no better sight to behold this side of heavens pearly gates!
With a cry of joy I realised it was my girl! It was my precious sweetheart, the gift of the Lord. She saw me at the same time and jumped up with a start. I bounded forward as though of eagles wings and we flung ourselves into each others arms with tears of joy. The waiting was over… the party had begun!
25th January 2011
By Adam R. B. Reeve
I was standing behind the pilot and feeling rather breathless now I was so close to my journeys end. Seven thousand miles across a storm tossed sea, risking death each day and living in cramped conditions for 4 months had taken its toll. I had been at sea for so long that eating a meagre diet had made me lean and thin.
But all that was worth it to be finally reaching my goal. I had waited years for this moment… I had prayed and sought the Lords advice, and had finally been given the green light to proceed. At first I had not been too sure, but as time went on, and after much talking to Jesus all the problems had been levelled, all the doubts had been washed away and a great peace had filled my heart.
For I was collecting my bride… a bride I had never seen in the flesh, but one whom Christ had led me to. I was travelling to a far country to carry away the love of my life.
So as the first mate fastened the painter, I eagerly scanned the shore for my best friend. Where was she? What did she really look like? Was she really what I had seen in the photos? Ah! All these thoughts and more flashed through my mind as I began to climb onto the funny old wharf.
As I stepped off the boat I looked around at the milling crowd… where was the young lady? I moved down the wharf with my suitcase in hand and noticed a shady dell with a park bench just to the wayside… not very far from the crowded jetty, yet far enough away for it to be peaceful under the tall elms and birches. The birds were singing in the trees above, and in the distance I could hear lambs crying for their mothers. A distance dog barked, a lone rooster crowed and over a nearby hedge a cow lowed softly.
The scene was so memorable; one I’ll never forget as long as I live. Slowly I let the lovely surroundings sink into my soul. Then suddenly my heart began to race. I had noticed a figure dressed in pure white sitting on the park bench. I moved closer to see more detail… I saw a pretty young woman with a beautiful countenance. Her Godliness shone on her sweet face… with eyes as blue as a spring sky, with cheeks like the softy mossy carpet of a forest floor, and with lips as tender as the morning sun there was no better sight to behold this side of heavens pearly gates!
With a cry of joy I realised it was my girl! It was my precious sweetheart, the gift of the Lord. She saw me at the same time and jumped up with a start. I bounded forward as though of eagles wings and we flung ourselves into each others arms with tears of joy. The waiting was over… the party had begun!
25th January 2011
By Adam R. B. Reeve