I always start my day with my prayers in a journal. I like to look back and praise God for all the wonderful miracles in my life and answered prays. At the end of that prayer today I paused. The next word I was going to write was Amen. Why? I thought. Amen seems to be so final.  

Is this where I leave my prayers every day? Right here on this piece of paper. Now I know for me sometimes that is what I need to do. Writing them out seems to be the action of letting go. I can walk away from that moment and know that God has a plan and that He hears my prayers. 

Back to my question. I couldn’t help but wonder though; am I supposed to carry those prayers with me throughout the day? To be actively seeking Gods answers right there in front of me. What would happen if I didn’t say amen right now? 

We were invited to our mutual friend’s wedding. It seemed like the day took forever to get here. The two of us knew the groom since high school, and we kept in contact through social media, emails and occasion phone calls to check in on our faith walk and prayer request. Even though high school seems so long ago, I couldn’t help remembering all the fun we had together.  

After graduation we went our separate ways. Different colleges and different careers that seemed to pull us to different states. The two of us never dated each other, but we supported each other through new relationships and breakups. What great friends; we had a bond that could not be broken by miles and Gods favor was on each of us.  

As we arrived at the ceremony and entered the church. I gently pushed through the crowd of people; some waved me over to catch up for just a moment. As I wondered into the sanctuary, I looked around to see which side I was supposed to sit on. I noticed her looking for what seemed to be the same answer. I waived her over and we decided to sit together. 

The ceremony started; the traditional songs and bible readings that meant so much to the bride and groom. As the preacher wrapped up his words, he smiled a crocked smile and said; “you may kiss your bride.” 

Everyone cheered for their union as they moved out of the church. I heard people wish them blessings and a long life together. It seemed strange to me. We just saw the groom and bride seal their commitment with a kiss. It seemed so final. Is that it? The kiss at the end and everyone goes back to their own lives? 

As we entered the reception dinner, we were surprisingly seated at the same table. We began to reminisce about days gone by. Soon both of us looked at each other and said, “Is this it?” The kiss at the end and everyone goes on with their life. 

We talked about that idea late into the night. It seemed that God was working through us and each word we spoke seemed to make that kiss seem so much more important. You see before that kiss both the bride and groom had promised to trust each other with their lives. Remember; in sickness and health, poorer or richer and until death do we part.  

There was something that the preacher said that day right after the vows, just before that kiss. He read 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 with emphasis on this phrase “Death is swallowed up in victory.” You see that kiss was not the end of anything. It was the beginning to the plans God had in store for them both. 

You see the kiss is not the end, and amen is not the end either. It is to affirm, agree with, or validate a prayer and trust God is the one who will be there through our life until we meet in eternity. 

As the evening drew to an end we promised to get together and talk about the plans that God had for us. Something felt peaceful that day as we sat talking. A peace outside of the peace that God provides us with every day when we start with Him. 

Oh, and by the way, we have been married for 10 years now and have two children that bring us so much joy. Every day we start with a prayer and trust God with our lives. AMEN!