As I write this I’m conniving a master plan to surprise my husband of nearly 11 years for an anniversary weekend getaway. The cozy airbnb is booked, the meals planned, and babysitting acquired. It’s hard for me to keep a secret but I feel proud that I have kept this one for a month. I remember the beautiful moonlit night we got engaged on Mexico Beach, Florida. My husband did a doozy of a surprise and came 1,000 miles to my little Florida hometown to visit. October 21, 2012 he planned to take me to the beach to see the sunset. Little did I know that he and a small army, both of our sets of parents plus friends, were all in on this little beach rendezvous. I still don’t know how they all pulled it off but a whole table was prepared on the beach. Lasagna and breadsticks, made by my best friend, cheesecake made by his mother, salad made by my parents, and chocolates and peacock feathers set around the table. This small army each played a part to pull off a romantic dinner for two on the beautiful Florida beach. My parents in complete mask and disguise carefully watched from a distance to ensure that our sacred meal didn’t get devoured by a seagull. I laugh and still feel shocked looking back on that night. 3 months later on January 26, 2013 we got married with over 200 friends watching on. The joy on our faces is wild and bright as I look back on those photos.

 My vows, carefully written, were, “Jaylan, I love you! You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to love without reservation, to comfort you in times of distress, to encourage you to achieve your highest goals. To laugh with you and to cry with you, always to be honest with you as long as we both live. I promise to honor you always and love you with all my heart and strength. I will help you fight to keep our goals and visions high. If the Lord blesses us with children, I will strive to teach them to fear the Lord and His Word. I will strive to keep the Lord and His love at the center of our lives. I will by my example, also teach them to love, honor, and respect you. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when love is simple and when it is an effort. These things I promise to you this day and for the rest of my life.” 

After our vows we knelt to wash each other’s feet. There was a solemn delight knowing that our vision for our marriage was to keep serving each other in as many ways as possible. 

 So, today Jaylan awaits more details. He has learned to tolerate secrets. He can plan them but is as curious as a kangaroo on the receiving end. All he knows is that we are going to the Italian restaurant Luca for dinner and after that “I’ve got a plan.” Every other night Jaylan and I take turns putting Roshana to bed and last night was my turn. She savors “our” nights because mommy is a little more of a sucker for questions, hugs, drink requests, and deep theological discussions. Last night we were ready to tuck in and put on the bedtime music and she turned serious. “What is heaven going to be like again, mommy?” We talked about Jesus, streets of gold, rainbows around the throne, living water, and what potentially will be in heaven for our delights. At the end of our conversation she was wiggling all over the bed in excitement. “I just can’t wait to go,” she whined and laughed. “How soon until Jesus comes back?” her nose wrinkled up now in angst. “I don’t know,” I said. “As a matter of fact, even Jesus doesn’t know.” Now she looked confused. I explained to her that only the Father knows and that he will tell Jesus to come when the time is right. That sufficed.

 We wait. Thankfully, Jesus told us just the right amount of information to keep us from going crazy as we await His return. I had no idea what Jaylan had up his sleeve that wild night we got engaged but it was incredible. I remember with childlike wonder and a bit of jealousy looking over at that inviting table set on the white sands and grabbing Jaylan’s arm and whispering loudly, “Look someone’s having a romantic beach dinner, I wish it was us…” He looked at me with brilliant eyes and said, “Actually it is!” 

 Jesus WILL come back when the time is right. He is preparing a place for us. He is setting the table for us. A wedding feast is coming up! He has chosen us and all who believe that He is the Son of God. He has done the unthinkable by dying on a cross to remove our sins. His final breaths were thinking of us and the committed love He held in His heart. 

 Scott Means says,“As I studied Jesus’ last words, I discovered a fascinating homonym in the Hebrew of the text. The word for “finished” (Kalah) sounds just like the word for “bride” (Kallah). It’s almost as if Jesus is saying with his dying breath, “There is now nothing that can block the intimacy between us, my bride. You and I are one. I’ve taken care of every hindrance.”” Scott Means Path To Intimacy

 9 But as it is written in the Scriptures:

“No one has ever seen this.
    No one has ever heard about it.
No one has ever imagined
    what God has prepared for those
    who love him.” Isaiah 64:4

10 But God has shown us these things through the Spirit.

The Spirit knows all things, even the deep secrets of God. 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

 There is so much life ahead of us! 

All we must do is accept His proposal. He’s done it all.