“He’s joking, Mom,” Jazmin said, laughing.
I raised an eyebrow. “Not joking. Seriously, I’m ready when you are.”
She shook her head, amusement over my impatience flickering in her eyes. “I need more than two weeks to plan a wedding and find a dress.”
“All humor aside, the dress is important,” her mom said. “And that alone can take time.”
“Then there’s the venue, the catering, the flowers,” Jazmin said, ticking off each item with her fingers. “And let’s not forget the photographer. I just went through all this with Sabrina, so I know what needs to be done.”
I laughed, a little disappointed that my rushed wedding idea wasn’t going to pan out, but I wanted her to have the wedding of her dreams. “Okay, I get it. This stuff takes time to plan.”
Jazmin glanced at me with a twinkle in her eye. “But we’ll make it work, and I promise, we won’t have to wait two years.”
“Good because neither of us are getting any younger.”
She laughed. “So true.”
***
On Christmas morning, I woke up early and got up to get a cup of coffee and sit in front of the woodstove, as was my routine. I was in my cabin and planned to head over to see Jazmin and her family for breakfast, but I was grateful for a few moments to reflect on the day ahead. They’d invited me to stay the night with them so I wouldn’t have to drive over on Christmas day, but I didn’t want to throw anyone out of their bed, and I didn’t live that far away.
I sipped on my coffee and read a devotional for Christmas. Underneath the commentary was a list of verses that applied to this day.
Luke 2:8-11. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Galatians 4:4-5. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Matthew 1:21. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
I considered the last verse, and how every good gift was from above. The Lord had given me the free gift of salvation, and I was truly thankful for His grace and mercy towards me. Jazmin was also a gift, and I found myself thanking the Lord for bringing her into my life. As I continued to pray, I thought about my lonely childhood and my desire to have a family to overshadow those memories. It was then that I realized that only the Lord could heal my heart from those past hurts.
It seemed as if God was tugging on my heart and showing me that there were lonely children out there in need of a home, and Jazmin and I could be their parents. I wasn’t lying when I’d told Jazmin I was fine with adoption, but it was more of a cognitive decision rather than a choice of the heart. Now, as I prayed, I sensed God working in me, giving me the desire to raise children who needed parents and a stable environment. His leading in this area was so strong I knew we would pursue it once we got married, and it wouldn’t be something I did to placate Jazmin. I wanted it as well.
I washed and got ready to go and then headed over to the house. It was still dark outside as sunrise didn’t happen until nearly ten in the morning this time of year, but the Christmas lights from the house lit up the area. Jazmin came running out to meet me dressed in red pajamas and large boots to keep her feet warm. She threw her arms around me as soon as I slid out of the car.
“Merry Christmas,” she said, her expression jubilant.
“Merry Christmas, Jaz.” I pulled her into my arms and kissed her tenderly.
We headed inside where her mom, aunt, and cousins were making a huge breakfast. The scent of bacon and blueberry muffins wafted through the room.
“Smells delicious in here.”
She nodded. “Mom said the food will be ready in about twenty minutes.”
My stomach rumbled in reply, and we both laughed.
“I have a present for you,” she said, “and I can’t wait any longer to give it to you.”
“Really? You didn’t have to get me anything. Saying yes to my proposal was gift enough.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Of course, I got you a gift.” She pulled me by the hand to the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. “It’s nothing big, but I thought of you when I went shopping the other day.” She found a rectangular box wrapped in red paper with glittery ornaments.
I immediately opened it and lifted out a black t-shirt. It said: This beard
