I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God!

For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation

and draped me in a robe of righteousness.

I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit

or a bride with her jewels.

The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world.

Everyone will praise him!

His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,

with plants springing up everywhere.

Isaiah 61 talks about a wedding day. It paints a picture of a groom putting on a crisp suit, pacing about in anticipation of what is about to happen. The bride is preparing herself, in so many ways, most of all outwardly. She steps into a bright white gown, adding diamonds, flowers, perfume. It says that they are overwhelmed with joy. Not just experiencing joy, but overwhelmed with a new abundance of it.

One year ago today, we lived this. I recently recounted the story of standing in the bride’s room alone moments before I was to walk down the aisle. There were speakers in the room so I could hear the voices of Ben & Noelle singing songs we had deliberately selected to commemorate the day, singing about God, His beauty and provision. I stood there, eyes swelling with tears, overwhelmed with the joy Isaiah uses to describe a response to redemption, rescue, resurrection.

I knew that my life was about to change. I knew that I was about to enter into covenant with the one my heart loved. I knew that he accepted me not because of my flaws, but in spite of them. I knew I didn’t deserve the joy and I certainly didn’t earn it. I knew that it was going to mean sacrifice, but most of all I knew I wanted it oh so badly.

There is a lot of earthly significance to this day, but there are treasure troves of spiritual significance. When I think about the sacrifice that Christ made so that I could, in the most literal of senses, wear white, I am floored. Just like I couldn’t be the bride without the groom, I couldn’t be who I am without Jesus. He is everything to me. The White in my dress and the Lifter of my head.

Today I am so thankful to have married a man who gets it, too.

One year later, I am still overwhelmed with joy.