The Wedding Dress(106)

A midnight wedding.

Brother David contacted a Rose Firm client who played in the Birmingham Symphony. He in turn gathered a string quintet—two violinists, a violist, and two cellists—who were wholly inspired by a spontaneous, midnight nuptial.

Rosined bows drew “hallelujah, hallelujah” from the strings. Charlotte started down the aisle toward the circle of white chairs, toward Tim. Toward love.

The dress swished about her legs. The empire waist hugged her heart. Tears gathered in her eyes. Beside her, Hillary sniffed and cleared her throat while Mary Grace let her tears flow freely without shame.

“I never thought . . . oh, my dear, sweet Jesus, I never thought . . . at ninety-four years old, my, my . . .” she whispered.

“Me neither, Mary Grace,” Hillary said, low and watery. “Me neither.”

As for Charlotte, she never imagined feeling this happy, this satisfied with life. She’d settled for okay, getting by. But tonight she realized how much more God had ordained for her.

She strolled past Dad and Mom Rose, past Katherine and the kids. Past Tim’s brothers. Past Hillary’s husband, Greg. She nodded at Noelia, and Tawny, who came with her fiancé.

When she arrived at the end of the aisle, Dixie appeared from the end of the first row and took her place as Matron of Honor. Her face glistened with her own joy.

Tim watched Charlotte with a tender intensity, the misty sheen in his eyes evident now. Around them, the quintet’s hovering notes dissipated, bonding with the moonlight.

Thomas raised his Bible, leaning on his cane. “Dearly beloved,” his voice resonated clear and strong, “we’re gathered here because of a destiny. Because of a wedding dress and the mighty power of love. A wedding is what Jesus Himself is waiting for. The Good Book tells us in Matthew 25 there will be a shout at midnight.” Thomas punctured the air with his clear, youthful voice. “‘The Bridegroom comes.’ This wedding here is a foreshadow of that great day. It’s no mistake we’re gathered here with Charlotte and Tim at midnight. But they didn’t haul me out of bed to preach.” Thomas winked at Charlotte. “Let’s get these two married. Mercy, what a great thing God has done. I’m just glad to be alive to see it.”

Thomas asked Tim to take his bride’s hand. Hillary and Mary Grace let go of her with sniffling kisses to Charlotte’s cheeks and took seats on the first row.

Thomas talked about Jesus’s first miracle being at a wedding. He told the story of a hundred-year-old gown and four special brides.

“Funny thing”—he sounded so clear and young—“the dress fit each gal like it was supposed to. It never was changed, not one stitch. It never wore out. Never faded. And if I do say so myself, looks as good and in style on Charlotte here as it did on my Mary Grace seventy-four years ago. It’s just like the good news of the gospel of Jesus. Always fits. It don’t need no changing. The good news is always good. It never wears out and by gum, it’s always in style. Don’t we need Him now more than ever.” The old preacher chuckled. “There I go again. Preaching. Let’s get on with this wedding.”

Charlotte faced Tim, handsome, strong with his hair swishing about his fine smile and framing the light in his eyes. He was tall and regal in his tailored black tux.

“You are beautiful,” he whispered when Thomas told him to take Charlotte’s hand.

“Hey, handsome, you ready for this?”

“Beyond ready.”

“Tim, do you take this woman . . .”

At half past midnight on a cool, August morn, Charlotte Malone said “I do” to love and to the rest of her life, becoming what she was always meant to be.

Redeemed. And a Rose.





Reading Group Guide

1. Who was the man in purple? What does he signify to you? Is there a “man in purple” in your life? Charlotte is so close to her own situation, she can’t see what’s in front of her: the wedding dress. Are you aware of those thin-veil God moments where the supernatural impacts the natural? How can you be more aware of Jesus interacting with you?





2. Emily struggles with the rules of her society. She wants to be vocal; she wants to pursue her own desires. What might Emily have done to speak out against the convict leasing injustice? What can you do to speak against true injustice?





3. Charlotte and Tim had a whirlwind courtship. For a moment, it seemed like they wouldn’t make it. But love triumphed. Is there a similar time in your life when love triumphed sorrow or injustice?





4. Hillary faced the most devastating heartbreak: losing her husband to war. What did you think of the way she responded? What would you have done different / the same? Do you know anyone who is struggling with this reality? How can you support her?





5. Mary Grace is a woman of faith. How did her quiet humility impact her father? Is there a time to be silent and just let the Spirit work in another person? How can you be successful at guarding your tongue?





6. In the midst of Hillary reliving her pain over losing Joel, Charlotte challenges her, “What if marrying Joel was not about you, but him?” We tend to believe everything we do in life pertains to us personally. Would you be willing to do something for someone if there was nothing in it for you? How can we live out this reality in every day life? Consider Jesus dying on the Cross as our highest example.