The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

“I am but a pencil in God’s hand.”

-- Mother Teresa

Our oldest daughter, Kelly, was married last week to an amazing young

man named Ryan. Those two fine young people have already had such

positive and powerful impact on others; I can only imagine what God has

planned for them and their marriage.

Many people have referred to Kelly and Ryan’s union as a match made in

heaven, which it clearly is. The entire wedding weekend was kissed with

special blessings from God, and several people summed it up well by

saying it was magical.

It’s hard to believe it all happened, as if it was too good to be

true. I know it did, of course. I was there. I’ve seen the pictures and I

will see the video. There is no way I can adequately describe all that

transpired, but God more than answered the many prayers that were

offered. God’s hand was clearly evident in everything.

Throughout the weekend, family and friends shared stories of many

different ways they could see God’s hand in both Kelly’s and Ryan’s

lives. As we reminisced about both of them, I thought back to last

December when Ryan took my husband Jon out for breakfast and asked his

permission to ask for Kelly’s hand in marriage.

Jon thanked him for the honor of being asked, but said, “Ryan, you’ve

already won her heart and proven your character. You are the answer to

our prayers, and you are God’s man for Kelly. You have our blessing.”

After Ryan’s beautiful proposal to Kelly and Kelly’s excited

acceptance, Ryan placed a stunning engagement ring on her finger. I found

myself staring at that finger and her hands frequently over the course of

their engagement. If I close my eyes, I can still see her hands at all

her different ages.

I’ve watched those beautiful hands grow over the years. I can still

see Kelly’s little hands covered with felt pen, with paint or with play

dough. I can picture them at different times, with ski mittens, Easter

gloves, cotillion gloves and even a splint due to a broken finger. Those

fingers have worn puppets, finger-paints, stickers, Band-Aids, reminder

notes and occasionally different colored nail polish, especially before

school sporting events.

Kelly’s hands have accomplished much and have been covered with many

different things, but they had never before been adorned with an

engagement ring.

At the ceremony, when Jon walked Kelly down the aisle and took his arm

off Kelly and placed her arm onto Ryan’s, he entrusted our treasure to

the man who committed to love her till death parts them. As they said

their vows to each other, they pledged their love, their lives and their

marriage to God.

Jon and I caught our breath and held hands as we watched the beaming

young couple place wedding rings on each other’s fingers. After the

ceremony, I watched the glowing twosome as they held hands and greeted

guests. When the time came for them to depart, they held hands and

practically skipped off into night to start their new life together.

I am eternally grateful to God for his incredible blessings. I also

prayerfully place all our lives into his trustworthy hands.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.