R. S. V. P.

 

By Sandy Howard

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A few weeks ago, I got a response to my “Home” article from a kind gentleman who goes by the name of, Elder H. He was sharing with me about his daughter’s upcoming wedding and relating how excited she was and all she was doing in preparation for the coming event. The things he said sounded so familiar because they reminded me that what she was feeling and saying and doing are the same things that I am feeling and saying and doing right now, as part of the bride of Christ. 

 

I am now part of the “over the hill club” and not a young bride. But these days I feel like a giddy young bride—anxiously awaiting her Bridegroom. 

 

I find myself looking up into the sky when I’m in the car or going to the mailbox or any time I’m outside or near a window. Just like a Jewish bride of old would look out her window, craning her neck, searching first right and then left, hoping to see her bridegroom coming to get her and take her to his father’s house.

 

I find myself daydreaming about what it will be like when He finally appears in the sky and calls me to, “Come up here.” (Just like any bride would daydream of what the wedding will be like when the day finally arrives.)

 

I find myself so focused on this impending event that it borders on obsession. Just like any bride, I have a hard time concentrating on anything else. Waiting and longing for my Bridegroom is consuming my thoughts and my actions. I want to tell everyone I meet about my Bridegroom. I am so proud to be His bride and want everyone to know how perfect He is and how much I am looking forward to being with Him forever.

 

I want to keep myself clean, dressed up in my finest, as free of blemishes as possible and always ready to meet Him when he finally arrives.  Just as any bride would do.

 

I’m sending out as many invitations as I can, to everyone I can think of, in hopes that everyone will accept and join me when the Bridegroom comes for His bride.

 

Please R. S. V. P.  These initials stand for the French phrase, “Repondez s’il vous plait” which means: Please respond.

 

So, please consider this your invitation to join the wedding party as part of the bride of Christ. If you have not yet accepted your invitation, please, please do so NOW! 

 

Although I do not know the day or the hour when the Bridegroom will step out the door of His Father’s house, to come and take us to be with Him forever, I do believe with all my heart that it will be very soon. 

 

There isn’t much time left, so please do not refuse the invitation or put off responding to the invitation and find yourself left behind.

 

And, if you have already accepted the invitation but have grown bored or tired of waiting and have allowed yourself to wander out into the world somewhere, please come back home NOW! 

 

Please don’t make the Bridegroom have to come looking for you. Please don’t allow yourself to be wandering out somewhere or involved in a situation that would be embarrassing for the Bridegroom to find you in.

 

Please come quickly Lord Jesus, my perfect Bridegroom, I want to go Home!

 

skhoward8@hotmail.com