I met Larry Nihiser when I was seventeen years old, and for me, it was love at first sight. He was a tall, blond young man with a beautiful head of hair that would rival any teen idol at the time. He proposed when I was twenty-one (almost a spinster). I decided that since we wanted a small wedding and I didn't want him to change his mind, I could pull it together pretty quickly. The wedding was two weeks later.

As you can imagine, I immediately started out to find a wedding dress that was within my rather meagre budget. I went to a local department store, and as I entered the massive, old doors, I went directly to the information desk that was located in the centre of the big entryway. I asked the lady at the desk where I could find wedding dresses. She directed me downstairs to the basement, where I found a rack of wedding dresses, surprisingly in my price range. I picked out a simple, long-sleeved mini-dress overlaid with lace and a short veil, all on sale at the big price of $50. Pleased with my choice, I went to the register and took my prize home.

As I told this story to a friend of mine, she said that she had bought her dress at the same store, but in the bridal suite, a luxurious department found on an upper floor. Up until this time, I had been pleased with my choice, but on hearing this, I realized that I would have liked the pampering given to the prospective brides. I would have greatly enjoyed and benefited from the advice of a trained bridal consultant, but I was directed to, and settled for the bargain basement. Probably, my budget could not have survived in the other setting, and maybe, I would have chosen the same dress, but I felt cheated because I hadn't pursued the better option. As it turned out, I was happy with my simple dress, and my simple wedding was just what I had planned. It's been 53 years now since I married my best friend.

2 Corinthians 11:2 – For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband — Christ. (NLT)

Many Scriptures liken the church to the bride of Christ. Sometimes, I feel as if I settle for the bargain basement in my spiritual life, when there is a bridal suite just waiting for me if only I would pursue it. I can stay in the basement, or I can pursue all that God has for me. How much peace do I forfeit because I do not trust? How many opportunities do I miss because I don't listen and obey the voice of the Lord? What do I not receive because I do not ask or pursue? These are good questions for us all to ask ourselves!

Prayer: Lord, I pray that You will find me in the bridal suite and not in the bargain basement! Amen.

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About the author:

Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA
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