'Your Daughter's Getting Married'

 Oh how excited she was to dress up as a bride for a picture to illustrate this post!

'Your Daughter's Getting Married'

A Poem for the Parents of the Bride

No, not my daughter! That day, God willing, still lies ahead for me. It's been some time since I shared one of my 'poems for people' but I have the perfect excuse today. My sweet friend Carrie from Farming on Faith is busy preparing for the upcoming wedding of her daughter Hannah. It's not long to go now and I know it is a 'bittersweet' time for Carrie, as it is for all parents of the bride, especially when their daughter has been living at home up to the time of their marriage. Weddings are joyful occasions but for the parents it is also a time tinged with some sadness, a time for goodbyes and letting go. It heralds a new beginning for both parties but it is not the end of the story - just new chapters in this precious life we have been given by the Lord to live.

It was these sentiments that I wanted to express when I first penned this poem many years ago. My Pastor's daughter was getting married and I wanted to give him and his wife a card but couldn't find one at the store which was specifically for the parents of the bride. I had to buy a blank card and was thinking about what greeting I could write when the idea of a poem popped into my mind. I wanted the verses to be personal but felt the Lord prompt me to pen them in such a way that I could share this poem again in the future. That it could be a blessing to others as they gave their daughter's hand in marriage. The handwritten words on a scrap of paper have been sitting in my little cardboard folder of poems; they have never been published until now. I have also added a few extra verses after reading Carrie's recent posts at her blog. So Carrie - this is for you and for any other mothers and fathers who read this who may be about to see their daughter marry and leave the family home. I pray they bless you in this season of your life. It was designed to be read just prior to the wedding day or on the morn of the wedding itself.

I wonder if she will want to wear her momma's veil on her wedding day?

Your daughter's getting married

Her wedding day is here

Very soon, she'll walk the aisle

You know you'll shed a tear

For it only seems like yesterday

Your precious girl was born

The memories of her childhood

Fill your thoughts this morn

Today she looks so beautiful

A radiant, lovely bride

Amidst the gasps of admiration

Your heart will burst with pride

You worked so hard to raise her

And taught her all you can                                            

Now all those things that you inspired

Will benefit her man

  

They'll soon exchange their vows                

She's going to be his wife                                              

No longer living in your home

But still part of your life

She'll always be your daughter

She knows how much you care

And when she feels she needs you

She'll hope that you are there

A speech of appreciation

Will later come your way

For your special contribution

To your daughter's wedding day

When the music fades

And all have bid farewell

Do not let the sadness of your parting

Be on what you choose to dwell

For the story isn't over

More chapters are to come

Turn the page together

A new day has begun!

 by Ann at eightacresofeden.com

I am more than happy for any of my readers to share this poem to bless other parents or mothers of brides. All I ask is that you acknowledge the source and myself as the author. Thank You. If you do use or intend to use my poem I would love to hear from you. It is after all one of my poems for people!

 

I have one more picture to share which I thought most appropriate for this post. It was not photoshopped! My daughter came across this mossy heart on a rock when she was hiking in a National Park recently. I hope that you enjoyed the poem and Carrie this picture speaks to me of the solid foundation of faith in Jesus that you have given to your daughter which she together with her beloved is going to build her own marriage and home upon ... the rock of Jesus. What a gift that is. What a blessing it will be in their lives!