I'm getting to the stage in my life where it feels like everyone around me is getting married. All of the sudden all these people that i've played with and grown up with are taking their turns saying vows. As a girl, I know I am supposed to have my wedding all planned out- colors, songs, bridesmaids... but in all the thinking i have done about my wedding day growing up, and still today, I have never cared much about all that. I have given it some thought I guess, but never came to any conclusion or tried very hard. My focus has always been on the man that I will walk down the aisle towards. What he would be like and look like and how he would treat me.

Spending time with soon-to-be brides I am annoyed for them at all of the rules and expectations placed on them. There are so many people to please and so many traditions that just cannot be broken. It's crazy to me. Who cares? Why does it matter if the invitations are hand addressed in cursive or print? Why does it matter if there is a card table set up or if the aisle chairs are decorated? Isn't that day supposed to be about celebrating love between two people? It's the beginning of a new life for them, why can't it be as simple as that?

Don't get me wrong, I love weddings. I get so excited going to them and I sit through the whole ceremony with a huge smile on my face. I like to see how each couple puts their own unique twist on this traditional time. I just don't understand why everyone has to stress out about every little thing. I don't understand why there have to be so many silly rules to follow to keep from hurting the feelings of your guests.

I think that's so how our faith is too. It's truly a simple thing. I understand that I need a Saviour and that Jesus is the only thing that can fulfill that for me. I love Him and want to live my life the way He would have me do it. That's it. Period. We make it so complicated though. As a church, we fight about so many little issues. I know they don't feel little but in the big scheme of things.. it doesn't matter. We make Christianity and church about ourselves and our own happiness. We completely lose focus of why we gather together on Sunday mornings and why we serve our communities. It's about Him. It's about a love relationship with Him. Tradition can be a beautiful thing but when that becomes the focus, it is useless. I understand the necessity of rules but when they become what makes you a "good" person, we've missed it.

It's simple. As much as people like to make it about the fancy decorations and both silly and serious traditions, they are not why we are here and our lives can't be about making sure those things get done just the way we want. Rather, it's all about the love relationship we each get to enjoy with God and the way that relationship molds and changes who we are. I pray that we are able to let go of all the expectations we believe need to be met in church and our daily lives and let the simplicity of our faith take over. Let our eyes turn to our Saviour and become captivated to the point that we cannot look away. And simply abide in Him.

Whit