The weather today is rather tame in contrast to my wedding day 15 years ago. I was unprepared in many ways for this journey of marriage. Though about to begin our senior year of college together, we were together largely ignorant to the pains and pleasures of a long-term commitment like this.

That day was unrelentingly hot and humid. We were getting married outdoors, in her backyard. You have to know that when I say “her back yard,” I really am talking about a piece of paradise created and nurtured by her mother and father. Acres of bliss with immaculate flowers and trees, lined with a playful mini-forest that was home to a mighty creek. It was a childhood fantasy for her to have grown up there, something that you read about in books. THAT was her back yard, and we were getting married there, at the gazebo her father had built specially for the occasion. A beautiful scene.

She was amazingly gorgeous on her way down the aisle, stunningly and elegantly beautiful, next to her adoring father who I can imagine was filled with thoughts and emotions that only a father could understand. In my heart and mind the whole thing was one big, “Wow. Just wow.” The collected friends and family, the years of my life coming down to a moment, the following down a trail blazed by our parents and others before us, and the incredible woman walking toward me. It was quite a moment in time.

Then, a short while into the reception, the heavens opened and poured thunderous rain down on us, nearly collapsing the tent that was set up for the event. A young cousin was missing for some time while we feared the roaring creek may have gotten the best of her, only to find her playing in a mini-van nearby. Some guests took the divine intervention as a sign and left for home while some simply enjoyed the chaos of the moment. Allyson downed a few extra gulps of champagne and wondered if things could get any worse. Somehow we made it through the excitement and no one was too much worse for the wear. Phew!

Fifteen years later we can say that we’ve been through difficult times. The year after we married her mother drew ill with luekemia and passed away in June. Following were several years of working through that with the associated pain and struggles in our relationship and with others. We were barren, too, to make things worse, when we wanted so desperately to have children. We tried for years after moving to Ohio, only to be met with constant disappointment.

Personal sin of mine cost me my ministry and income, deeply and profoundly wounding my wife, but she forgave me and stayed with me, loving me beyond what I deserved. We’ve also lost my grandparents and all but one of hers during these years, and several years ago learned of my mother’s decline into early onset Alzheimer’s, affecting her at the young age of 60.

“What’s the weather like today?” you may ask. My iPhone can tell me what the weather services have predicted regarding today’s forecast, and even a few days ahead. The truth is, though, no one knows. No one can tell you what is coming next in your life, no matter how convincing they are. No one can foresee the difficulties or troubles that are right around the corner for you. No one can guarantee that you’ll be happy or successful or that your life will be filled with every kind of joy imaginable. It doesn’t work that way. You know what I’ve learned about that, though? It’s ok.

It’s ok because in the end it is not we, but God who is in control of this life. It’s ok because the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. It’s ok because we came into this world naked and we’ll leave naked. In all of the in between turmoil, sweat, joy, sorrow, growth and pain there is One who holds the universe in His hands. And in the end, all will be made right by Him. In the end His plan of redemption and renewal will be fulfilled because no one can thwart His purposes. Had we been blessed with biological children, we never would have opted for the fostering route. We then would never have met our son. How ya like them apples? We got a son!

It’s easy to look at the weather and curse it. When it’s dry we want rain. When it rains we want cloudless skies. Through all the weather of our lives, though, God is faithful. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. I’m holding onto that truth with a tight grip these days. In spite of all the weather we’ve endured, Allyson and I are better friends for it. It never occurred to me that we wouldn’t make it this far in our marriage, because it was never an option for either of us when we said our vows. Still, though, the faithfulness of God in the midst of our lives has drawn us deeper into each other, and for that I am grateful today.