"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride."
So the saying goes, But it was never true with my bridesmaids. Every one of them married fine Christian men.
This Victorian era painting is called, "The Reluctant Bride". Her bridesmaids seem to be comforting her and assuring her that she'll live happily ever after.
Somehow I don't think they convinced her. And I can't help but wonder why she seems so uneasy about her coming marriage. It looks to be only an hour or so away because she is already dressed, and the young girl is trying on her bridal headgear. And that is usually made of fresh flowers.
Was the marriage arranged? Was it a case of pre-wedding jitters? Whatever the case, I was touched at the sad expression on her face. Marriage is supposed to be a uniting of two souls to become one flesh as the Bible states so beautifully. In those days marriages were often forced upon young girls, and this is so in many cultures today.
If this were true in this young girl's situation, I would counsel her to ask God to give her the grace to love and honour her husband with her whole heart and mind and soul. Love is not just a feeling. Feelings come and go. Marriage is a commitment and even if pushed upon a young woman, if she makes up her mind to love her husband, it will only cement their relationship. "Love begets love" is a truism. And asking the Lord Jesus to come into her new life with her husband will both comfort and strengthen her resolve.
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