Prayerful thoughts in writing

4:42 p.m. Today's project was to address the Save the Date cards to send out for Heidi's June wedding. She wants them sent out next week because now we are only 4 months away from the big day (or to this M.OB., the deadline)!

We decided to write out the addresses rather than use address labels, for a more personal touch. My printing is fairly neat, so that's all that's required for these friendly reminders. When our married daughter Heather arrived this morning, we talked about who should be asked to adddress the wedding invitations. The three of us (Heidi, Heather and myself) are hoping to corral their sister-in-law Marisela for the task--her handwriting is like calligraphy--maybe for a small fee! God honors diligent and artful work, as in Exodus 30:25, where God commands that the skills of an incense maker be used to create the holy anointing oil for the tabernacle.

While Heidi and her bridesmaids went to Mary Me Bridal in Orange for their dress fittings, I set about to address the envelopes, beginning with family. As I wrote out each name and address, I couldn't help but feel compelled to reflect on their circumstances: one a recent widow; one family now in an apartment after losing their home; one whose younger daughter has pretty much disappeared from the family, closing off all contact; a long-time single lady now enjoying her grandchildren; one desperately seeking employment. All in totally different circumstances, all in need of prayer. I may not know our wedding guests' exact circumstances today, but I guarantee that they need prayer, just like I do. The vast majority are born again Christians and share the Lord with others in their sphere of influence. So I can lift them up in confidence to the Lord we serve. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) says,

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

As for those invitees who are not saved, and maybe even living in sin, I can certainly lift them to the Lord, to come to know Jesus as their personal Savior, and leave the "clean-up operation" to Him! For the backslidden on the list, I can pray that they will receive a fresh, compelling vision of the Lord, that their hearts would be on fire for Him once again, letting go of any bitterness that they may be using for an excuse to avoid Jesus.

And I pray that the bride and groom, our families and the attendants will be stellar witnesses in all that we do or say on June 25, 2011. May we be a sweet savor of the Lord to all in attendance, including the ones who are there to help and serve us all, even to the head of the wedding facility and the catering company, no matter how large or small their role.

I want all to leave our event saying, "God was in this place." And that will not happen without focused prayer for each person involved. And if the Lord can use the lengthy task of addressing envelopes to bless and help each guest, I thank the Lord for the privilege of having a part to play in the great work He wants to do in each one's life.

May I be faithful to pray!