And she’d seen changes in herself. God had given her peace and assured her that she was truly loved by God…and Ian. She’d renewed her faith and understood God’s purpose for her.
Rachel’s eyes glistened with excitement and tears as she grasped her bouquet, then handed Esther hers.
Esther opened the door and beckoned to her sister.
Rachel’s billowing skirt swished through the door, and when Esther joined her she pressed her cheek to Esther’s. “Thank you for being my sister.”
Older sister, Esther thought, and for a fleeting moment the troubled days drifted past—their father’s ridiculous decree, the matchmaking, the rift with Ian, but in a flash they sailed away on the spring breeze, and new hopes for a miraculous future took their place.
She and Rachel walked together along the corridor. When they reached the narthex, Esther paused, seeing her father waiting for them.
When he saw them, his eyes filled with love and pride.
“You look handsome, Daddy,” Rachel said.
Esther touched the boutonniere pinned to his lapel. He did look striking in his tuxedo and bow tie.
“God is good,” he said, drawing them closer and kissing each on the cheek. “I only wish your mother could be here.”
“She’s here, Daddy,” Esther said, touching her heart. “Mom’s always here.”
His smile warmed her soul. Esther had no doubt her mother’s love encompassed them all.
The triumphal organ music began, echoing through the arched ceiling. Esther moved to her place beside her father. Rachel stood on the other side.
Looking down the lengthy church aisle, Esther saw Ian and Jeff waiting beside the pastor. Ian looked strong and handsome, his gaze directed at her.
The music grew louder as they neared the front, and Esther gazed into Ian’s glistening eyes, bright and unveiled, proclaiming his love and faithfulness.
Catching his breath, Ian observed them approaching, with Rachel in her full sweeping wedding dress, but Esther…he couldn’t take his eyes from her. She glided toward him like an angel, her simple gown decorated with beads and pearls glinting in the candlelight. The soft folds of her dress swayed around her slender hips…white satin and lace as pure and delicate as she. Esther. His bride. His wife.
“Who gives these women to be wed?” the pastor asked.
“Their mother and I,” their father said, a wistful smile on his face. “Their mother and I.”
He stepped aside and sat—alone perhaps, but glowing with love for his daughters.
Pride rose in Ian. Esther had remained strong in her beliefs and had loved her father through all their trials. She’d honored him through it all, and today God’s love shone on them. Today she stood before the pastor and guests, willing to be Ian’s wife…with both her father’s and heavenly Father’s blessings.
Rachel and Jeff stepped to the right, their faces beaming with happiness, and Ian linked Esther’s arm in his and stepped toward the altar, his spirit soaring.
Esther drew in the familiar scent of fresh citrus mingled with her bouquet of spring flowers. She gazed up at Ian…the man she loved, the man who’d unlocked her world and the man who promised to stand beside her through every joy and sorrow.
God had granted His promise. He encouraged her to open her heart and to accept a new life with Ian. Today with a host of friends and family, she and Ian stood before the Lord united in love.
Two loving hearts blended as one.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-1035-6
LOVING HEARTS
Copyright © 2003 by Gail Gaymer Martin
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Loving Hearts Page 19