Trials

During our courtship, the Lord has given us several trials. With every trial comes more dependence upon God and love of Christ, so we are thankful for each one. Right now, we are going through a trial of getting my family's blessing on our marriage. My parents have expressed that they will not bless a wedding this summer and they are against it. Now, after a lot of counseling with pastors, Sarah's parents, our trusted friends, and of course lots of prayer, we have come to a decision. It's better, in the eyes of the Lord, to wait and have my parents blessing. Sarah took it harder than anyone, that's for sure. I am so very proud that the other day, she was able to find the courage to write the following note and post it online for all her friends and family:

So, I think alot of people have heard by now that Blake and I are going to postpone our wedding. It will most likely now be in December, over Christmas Break. The reason for this is that Blake's family has raised so many objections against us marrying in June, that Blake wants to do what's right to honor God through honoring his parents. We don't believe any of the things they have brought up against us are biblical or right, but we feel that God would want us to wait so that we can have their blessing. We are really hoping they will compromise with us and bless a December wedding -- a 6 month longer wait for Blake and I and a 6 month shorter date then what they want for us. Please be in prayer for both our families in this very trying time, but especially for Blake and I that we would have the patience and strength to wait. I have been really struggling so much with this and it makes me so sad that after months of planning for a wedding in June (I already have my dress and save the date invitations), these objections would come out of no where. I need God's strength right now more than anyone can imagine. I'll let everyone know when the new wedding date will be as soon as we know. Love y'all!

We plan to have my parent's blessing for December 07. They, my parents, could have no way of knowing how hard it is for Sarah and I to wait, especially since we have been counseled by many people not to wait. We trust in the Lord to supply the strength to get through this trial like he has given for every past trial and he will give for the many trials of our future. If we want our marriage to be for holiness, then we must commit to holiness together from the start.