Sacred Space

When we visited our house when looking to buy it, I took one look at the woods over the hill behind the Z Shack and said, "I would love to make a prayer path back here, to just walk back in these woods and pray to Jesus." We've lived in this house six years and I've yet to create it ... for a couple of reasons. One, I've mowed down the area back there countless times, but nature has the edge on me and I just can't keep up with it. Weeds, new trees (not to mention poison ivy), they grow so fast back there I just can't stay on top of it. And two, there are supposed to be rattlesnakes back there, so I don't want to stumble across one of those. As a result, there is no prayer path in the back woods. As a matter of fact, we don't really use those woods for anything except collecting brush or dead trees for our fire pit.

Now there is a corner flower bed in the front of my yard near the driveway. When we first moved in, it had a tiny deteriorating wooden fence around it, few perennials some shrubs and trees. Since we've moved in, I have torn down the fence, pruned the bushes and trees and added azaleas, rose bushes, peonies, chrysanthemums and daffodils. I've also added annuals like zinnias, pansies and gerbera daisies. I mulch it every year with fresh pine straw. I weed it every day. I've added decorative cockle seashells. And I've placed two gray Adirondack chairs there for me and Brad. I use those chairs every morning when the weather is nice to do my Bible devotion and Brad will be out there every Sunday morning practicing his sermon. It's become a sacred space of worship.

So while my plans to change the back hill into a reverent place didn't work out, the bed out front has. It took work: weeding, tidying, mulching, planting and replanting to make it into what we wanted it to be. We didn't let nature get the better of us. We worked at it.

It's the same as marriage. If you want marriage to be a sacred place, you need to work at it. Tidying, planting, replanting, pruning and most definitely keeping the weeds out. Don't let the world get the better of you in this. And believe us, it will try. It will try to steal your time, your morals, your love and your patience. Stay on top of it. Be faithful in prayer and Scripture reading. Go to our Father for guidance. Be loving and forgiving. It is absolutely worth the time and effort it takes. Just don't ever make the mistake of thinking it doesn't. Make your marriage a sacred space of worship to glorify the Lord.

Discussion: Do you have a sacred space where you have some devotional time with the Lord? Did it take any work to get it to be that sacred place of worship? What do you think of the comment that marriage takes work?

Prayer: Lord, may we always seek our time in our day to praise and worship You and to seek Your guidance. And, Father, we pray our marriage is also a sacred space of worship. Help us to stay on top of keeping it that way. In Christ Jesus, Amen.

Let Them Eat Cake

One bite and we knew. Cakes by Ron. Moist. Melt in your mouth. Creative. Delicious flavors. Gorgeous presentation. We knew it the moment he handed us a sample cupcake - make that cupcakes - at the Bridal Show in Sarasota. Seasalt Caramel, Boston Creme, Red Velvet. How to decide?! They were all delicious. When I asked Ayla if she would be shopping around for bakers she said, "Why? Cakes By Ron was the best." I understand Rob and Ayla will be picking out cake flavors and the design with Rob's dad and stepmom when they visit soon. we are excited to hear about what will be chosen. I know Ayla has said she wanted a beachy looking cake and sent me a couple pictures of what she was thinking about. Adirondack chairs on top and seashells.

I don't know whether you could consider this the forerunner of the wedding cake, but apparently in ancient Rome a loaf of bread was broken above the head of the bride to bring them good luck. Then everyone would eat the crumbs to have a little of the luck for themselves. In the Middle Ages, brides and grooms would kiss over several cakes piled one on top of another, sometimes ridiculously high. If they could kiss over the cake, it meant prosperity for them. Later someone got the idea to cover all the cakes with frosting. One fellow, in an effort to impress his bride, made his cake to look like St. Bride's Church in London. Seeing the steeple on top of the church, you can see how wedding cakes today got their look.

Of course at the reception, the groom and bride cut the cake together then feed a piece of it to each other. Shenanigans can follow with smashing and the like. Your Daddy threatened to squish some cake on me, but I got him pretty good ... then proceeded to lick it off him. It was pretty funny. Our cake was topped in a bouquet of flowers with candles spiraling up it. The candle idea was not the best as it eventually caught the bouquet on fire - our caketastrophy - but it was under control pretty quickly. My mom surprised me by having our wedding cake be chocolate on the inside. You are supposed to save the top tier to eat on your 1st anniversary. Daddy and I did this and it tasted horrible, but I have heard others say theirs survived the 365-day freeze and was yummy.

The Bible mentions several cakes, but none associated with a wedding. Most were unleavened cakes used for offerings or guests (Gen. 18:6, Ex. 29:2, Lev.7:12, ). Others were barley or fig cakes (1 Sam. 25:18), not much like the sweet desserts we have today. So doubtful when Christ was at the wedding in Cana, did he see a tiered, white, fondant-covered confection.

We are excited to hear what both couples choose for your wedding cakes. We know they will be unique and beautiful ... and we hope delicious.

Discussion: What is your favorite flavor cake? What do you want to see on top of your cake? Do you have an idea for its design?

Prayer: Lord, a cake at the wedding will not provide good luck or prosperity, but will be a yummy treat for the guests. We pray, Father, both couples can find affordable and delicious cakes for their reception. We love you, Father. In Jesus, Amen.