by Joanie Butman
My daughter is getting married in August. Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana has taken on new meaning. After months of planning in excruciating detail, I can imagine the horror of running out of wine at the reception. Considering the cost of things these days, changing water into wine would go a long way in subsidizing this wedding! I can see why Mary turned to Jesus for a solution. When you need a miracle, He’s your man. He may not be turning water into wine for Hannah’s wedding, but keeping me sane during the planning and preparation is miracle enough.
Seriously, I don’t pray for miracles when it comes to little things like parking spaces (maybe not so little in New York City) because I want to save those requests for REALLY big appeals – like living long enough to see my children graduate high school. As is His custom, He answered that desperate petition and then some!! No one ever dreamed I’d live long enough to be Hannah’s Matron of Honor! Another miracle indeed that I should be so honored considering her teenage years when being an embarrassment was all I could accomplish. Apparently, I excelled at it. Who knew I had that skill?
While changing water into wine is indeed impressive, changing hearts is even more extraordinary. And I see those miracles every day: hardened hearts softened, bitter hearts sweetened, broken hearts comforted, angry hearts assuaged, wandering hearts found, the list is endless. There is nothing Jesus can’t restore when we choose to offer it to Him. He is the ultimate alchemist. The true miracle is our unlimited access to Him provided through the cross. I’d take that over wine any day! What’s more, there’s no limit to His provisions so why shouldn’t I request a legal parking space in NYC? I don’t need to save up as if He’s only given each of us three wishes. He is eager and willing to be involved in the smallest details of our lives when we choose to let Him.
The cost of a wedding can be staggering these days. We pay it eagerly because of our love for our daughter. Why wouldn’t we want to celebrate such a glorious occasion? And that love can’t compare to how God loves us and the cost Jesus paid to reconcile us to Himself. Jesus often refers to us as His bride. What greater honor? He’s planning a celebration for each of us that will surpass anything even the best wedding planner could contrive, and one that none of us could afford without Jesus.
