A wedding provides a joyous celebration for family and friends. Two individuals, often from divergent backgrounds and family traditions, converge; then develop a relationship which culminates in a decision to blend their lives through a marriage commitment. Their primary desire is to live together in harmony, unity and peace before God and man.Society depends on the stability of the family. Whether within a marriage or a single parent home, the family serves as the nucleus. Although many single parent homes have been and are successful, the ideal is a home with a couple - preferably of the opposite sex - as demonstrated by the Edenic pair model in Genesis 1.

When I decided to attend the wedding of a cousin , slated for October 2009, I encountered an unexpected financial situation. The salary deduction in August was one hundred dollars; but in September it ballooned to ten times that amount! By removing the rent and hardship allowance from my salary, my employer indicated I would receive no subsidy for rent. The hardship stipend would be paid later after posting in a hardship area was confirmed- usually by November or December. This meant that if I planned to remain in the MICAL District, I would have to pay my own rent. Such a 'policy' became effective, according to friends and others- after living in a locale for five years. I have been living here for three - not five - years. Without the stipend for rent, my salary would be reduced to twelve hundred dollar- to pay rent, pay bills, buy food, water and fuel as well as return a faithful tithe and freewill offering! How could it be possible?

As the date for the wedding approached, I realized that I needed a loan. Maybe God would open a door and grant me favour. But, my daughter professionally advised against a loan. The present loan had two more years. Adding another loan to the present balance would prove disastrous. The failure of the loan idea did not discourage me. God spoke: Be still; He is God. But, is 'being still' inactivity? Final plans for the wedding reception had to be completed soon. Each setting at a wedding reception costs money - often a hundred dollars or more. Although I desired to be included in the final count, dark clouds hid the Son.

Was I engaging in wishful thinking by hoping against all odds for a miracle? Finally, I decided to inform the mother of the groom- my cousin - that due to unforeseen financial difficulties, I would be unable to attend the affair. That was an excruciating email for me; but it was the truth. Now, I could deal with other matters - how to juggle my salary and pull some greenbacks from thin air so that I could pay bills and meet monthly living expenses.

After I sent the email, I felt restless. Had I acted in faith? Does knowing the truth set people free? Faith demands action in harmony with the Word of God. Had I waited on the Lord? Was I demonstrating good courage? God knew that I had tried to obtain funds for the trip.But they were not available; and I was helpless to change that fact.I had to face the reality of my situation and wait for God to act on my behalf.Either God would supply my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus; or He would not allow me to attend the auspicious occasion. All I had to do was wait patiently for God.

Whenever the telephone rings, the caller is a mystery- unless you use caller ID. Even if you can identify the caller, questions persists. What message would the person convey? Would the information the person relays provoke positive or negative responses? In spite of the uncertainty of the message, the voice was familiar- my cousin who is the mother of the groom. She assured me that assistance was available if I desired to attend the wedding. She could send the money and I could purchase the tickets; or she could make the reservations and purchase them. Either way, I had to act quickly because of the time factor. In twenty minutes she promised to call again. During that time I tried to contact the local airline agents; but the attempts were futile. Internet access was unavailable because of no or low connectivity.When my cousin called again, I explained why she needed to make the reservations and purchase the tickets. I gave her the relevant information.

What a relief! Her mom, my aunt, was scheduled to be released from the hospital the following day. Praise - a loud, pulsating ,junkanoo rhythm - overwhelmed me. The evidence had manifested itself clearly. Not only would I travel to Fort Lauderdale to attend the wedding ; I could spend four days with my beloved aunt in Maryland! God is so awesome and wise. Surely His ways are not human ways nor His thoughts like those of mortals. For the rest of that day, my feet did not touch terra firma. What happens to you when you think about the goodness and mighty power of God in your life?

At some point in your life, you may have heard reference to someone being on cloud nine. Meditation takes an individual beyond the clouds!

I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide and I will fill it. Psalm 81: 10.

The above text, which was found on a calendar for the day and year I was born, surfaced in my mind. Lighthearted and free as the birds that had entered my classroom on two different occasions,I prepared for the upcoming trip mentally. Except for a few infrequent trips to the capital, Nassau, I had not enjoyed a real vacation for more than three years. Although the need for a loan emerged again, I rocked that baby to sleep. But, God says to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain help in the time of need. I had an urgent need; and I dare not linger among the clouds. Throne room business placed me high above the clouds. I needed His grace and mercy.

Surprisingly, the departure date arrived quickly. At 3:55 a.m. I crawled out of bed to complete the last minute tasks. When I arrived at the airport at 8:40 a.m., it was virtually empty. But, passengers soon filled the departure lounge and porch area. Before long, the De Havilland jet arrived; and within minutes the passengers had boarded it.

After a brief stop at a neighbouring island, the plane was airborne once again. The passengers experienced some turbulence as the aircraft's pilot dealt with the weather. He climbed above the clouds to a cruising altitude.The cries of fear and discomfort, heard during the turbulence, subsided eventually as we soared high above the clouds.