Strippers wear white too

A bride: a woman preparing for marriage. She represents the universal Christian Church which awaits the groom. 

CC image courtesy of Quinn Dombrowski on Flickr

But wait, brides are crazy. They complain, break down, and can't make decisions.

Yet it's such a coveted and celebrated position! Young girls, bridesmaids, and mothers delight and rejoice in helping prepare the bride; each dreams of or reflects on the own special day. 

So what is the disconnect? The bride preparing for the groom (prefiguring the Church awaiting Christ), the stressed bridezilla, and the celebrated bride... Each is seperate, yet they are one. 

In my years of participating in Christianity, celebrating with friends for their wedding day, selling wedding dresses to women and now being a bride, I have learned something: the bride is dirty.  

A bride is celebrated because she embodies the hope of redemption.

CC image courtesy of Diego V on Flickr

When I sold wedding dresses, a tall thin red head came in one afternoon. With tatoos on her back, I helped her into a pink and green embroidered white roushed strapless dress. It thought it was hideous; she loved it. I asked how high she wanted her heels; I'll never forget what she said: "Honey, I used to be a stripper. Nothing is too high for me."

She, of a socially taboo profession, chose to accept the position of being a bride.

I cannot think of a better parallel for what Christ offers to his bride. 

As a bride, I feel like this dirty thing and completely unworthy of love. As a Christian, I feel the same way. 

John chose to love, accept, and ask me to marry him. I chose to say yes. He loved me first. 

CC image courtesy of Corey Balazowich on Flickr

 

In Christianity, it is similar. I learn that it is Christ who draws me to Himself and prepares me for marriage; it is he who readies and waits for His Church. May my wedding be used for such a purpose to display this.

It is Christ who gives peace and strength for each day and decision. I wasn't made to be a bridezilla. 

And It is Christ who shows himself through community and celebrates his bride being prepared. All of this help, encouraging words, and sisterly support reflects the love of Christ. 

And I see now that it is Christ who cleans my heart. He takes me, an unworthy and dirty girl. He cleans me, and he offers hope and redemption, and he dresses me in white. 

CC image courtesy of Andrew Sweeney on Flickr