Sarah would have been 12 years old at the time.
We had the privilege of watching her one week a month to help her single mom, Kathie, home school Sarah. Sarah and my daughter Beth had a love/hate relationship, being best friends yet mortal enemies at the same time. While Sarah and Beth quarreled over whatever 12 year old girls quarrel about, my son David, a pimply-faced 14 year old, was developing a pimply-faced 14 year old crush on Sarah. So one day he prayed that Jesus would someday let him marry Sarah.
On Saturday God answered the prayer of that pimply-faced 14 year old. And I had the privilege of marrying them. Sarah’s father walked her down the aisle. She looked beautiful and radiant, and was crying tears of joy. My son, David, now 23, was beaming as her dad gave Sarah’s arm to him. I thought, “David, you are one blessed guy. How did you ever get this beautiful girl to agree to be your wife?”
It was the prayer a 14 year old prayed 9 years ago. And the kindness of a gracious, faithful God who hears our every desire, our every sigh, and our every whispered request.
God may take 9 years or 49 years to answer our prayers. He may answer them in ways we don’t expect. He may not give us what we ask for, but give us something infinitely better. But he hears our every prayer and he won’t forget a single one.
So, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (PHP 4.6-7).
photo by Lydia Jane Photography
If you’d like to see a video of the first kiss visit Evidences of Grace
What a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness and kindness. This was very timely for me- it was encouraging to remember that God hears our prayers and cares about the desires of our heart. His timing may not be ours and His will may not be ours, but what He does in His sovereignty is so much better than anything that we could have imagined.
Thanks for sharing!
That’s great! Man, God is good, isn’t he?
I’m still getting over the fact that David and Sarah are actually married. To each other. I’m excited for them, and can’t wait to see what God will do. But dude . . . they are MARRIED! I remember when they were kids!
YAY! Congratulations David and Sarah. I had a smile on my face reading and watching the video. Such sweet kindness of God!
: )
I did forget to mention that this was the wedding of the century, so I’ll add that now.
I have never seen such excitement on a bride and groom’s faces. What a beautiful video and an amazing encouragement to young people. Everyone is NOT “doing it”! I love that these two had never kissed anyone. God is so so good.
On a side note… their shoes are fabulous!! What a fun couple.
Mark/Stephen – do you guys know where Sarah got her dress? I am doing some preliminary planning for my own wedding, and I love that her dress has such a modest but fun look to it. I want a wedding dress that is pretty, but that isn’t the focus of the whole wedding.
Wendy, I’m glad you were encouraged… great comment about God doing things that are better than anything we can imagine.
Brando, I remember when YOU were just a kid.
Hi Briana, It wasn’t that long ago you and Lawrence were getting married – I remember it!
Beth, you’re a nut! But I did take out one “pimply” from my original, thanks to your input….
Brando, MY wedding was the wedding of the century, but you weren’t born yet, so how could you know?
Courtney, I almost lost it a couple times during the ceremony looking at their faces. Their shoes were definitely cool – as were mine – I was wearing black Chuck Taylors, which I think qualifies me for some kind of hipness award.
Chelsey, I don’t know where Sarah got her dress. Email me at mvaltrogge@gmail.com and I can forward it to her…
This was so encouraging to my daughters (15, and 17yrs).
Thank you so much for posting! I posted the links on my FaceBook for all our youth to read and rejoice in.
We are looking forward to seeing you at WorshipGod 2008. My daughter is one of those 127 high shcoolers coming!
Your blog is such a blessing to me. Thank you both for being willing to take the time to minister to those of us out here in sunny Cali!
Mark: your wedding was last century. This is the 21st Century man. Your wedding probably was the wedding of the century. Maybe we should compile the best weddings of each century and see which were the best? Yeah, I was a kid somewhat concurrently with David and Sarah, although a bit older. But that still makes it strange to see them married.
What an amazing story of God’s love for David and Sarah! From the lovely photography to the “giggle-kiss” to the rad shoes, it appears that this wedding was a beautiful celebration of God’s faithfulness. Thank you for sharing this!
Chelsey,
Sarah’s dress was hand made by a seamstress friend. She took a picture to her and she made this beautiful dress.
That’s a great pic!!! And a very encouraging post, thank you.
Hi DeeDee, thanks for your kind words of encouragement. See you at WorshipGod08!
Brando, I know I got married last century, but at my age time is hurtling by so fast I can’t distinguish between centuries.
My pleasure, Savannah. The wedding really was a great picture of God’s faithfulness.
Thanks YellerDaisies!
Thanks for posting this, Mark! God is incredibly kind. I am so excited to “officially” be part of your family. Thanks for raising such a Godly son. I’m glad God answered David’s prayer.
I still can’t believe David got married. I’m reviewing the evidence now.
You know what, Bo – Now that I think about it, I’m having my doubts myself…
I want video and pics, and lots of them. Mark, I do recall you had a bit of a pimple problem up until last week.
SARAH ALTROGGE! Your wedding sounded fabulous. I thought about you guys all day.
*<:^] julie
This is a simple but a very beautiful love story~
Thanks Sarah,
I’m just so grateful I got to be a part of it….