Little bird singin' as she sits
peacefully perched on her tree

Danger lerks she's unaware
That fiesty feline silently watching over there

Faster than a blink it pounces
Her song meets its fatal end

Woke up today
feelin' like somethin' the cat drug in

Maybe it was yesterday
or the day before...
The days blend together
can't remember anymore

These flat painted white walls have turned grey
They seem to get smaller and smaller each day

My bones ache' 
They age faster than me
The sun peers through the window
Get outa' bed sleepyhead
It must be another day

Even Jesus felt this way
Exceeding sorrow weighed his heart
The book of Matthew tells me so

And says Romans
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience"
Ephesians I know
"Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."

Stand back feline
Your teeth might rip though this flesh
But never, no never through this spirit
I faint not... I faint not...

I shall find hope in my afflictions
Little bird keep on singin'
Nothing shall seperate you from his love
Can't take my song from me
 
Picture
Have you ever wondered why the groom lifts his bride's veil towards the end of the ceremony, right before the big kiss? (And sometimes her Father lifts it before handing her over. It can vary.) 


It is such a common tradition that most people don't even acknowledge it anymore. It's practiced. But it's not acknowledged. It's just something that people do... but let's venture into WHY it's done. 


In Judaism (ancient) the veil wasn't even lifted until right before the couple consummated the marriage. It symbolized the couple becoming one flesh. Today, the unveiling in the ceremony is a symbol and foreshadowing of what will take place on the "honeymoon." 


Lifting the veil isn't just a tradition. It's a significant symbol of becoming one. Since ancient times veils have been used to separate something from another, and to symbolize the use of that person's or objects personal space. 


In Genesis 24, Rebekah didn't wear a veil until right before she knew she was going to see Isaac face to face. Perhaps she was following tradition in the same manner we still do today. But I believe there is something to be learned from this seemingly small and insignificant verse (24:65.) She put a "wall" or separation between herself and her soon to be husband. She acknowledged the separation between herself and Isaac because they hadn't yet become one. 


I think of sin as a veil between ourselves and God. And the very moment He took His last breathe on the cross, for our sins, He tore the veil hanging in the tabernacle in the wilderness. Sin was no longer allowed to separate us from Him! But just like a bride on her wedding day we still have to walk down that aisle. We have to walk through the entry where the veil was tore, into the presence of God, to become one with Him. (This is where Acts 2:38 becomes significant in your salvation.)


He has already removed the veil for us. But some of us still try to put it back on. We live in sin and try to cover ourselves from God behind a veil. We put a wall there because we feel like a failure as a Christian, and that's how sin separates us from God. 


But let me reiterate... HE HAS ALREADY REMOVED THE VEIL FOR US. His mercy says, "Come on in!" Why do we have to let the devil make us believe that we're not worthy enough to enter that tabernacle? Why do we allow the devil to keep putting our veil back on? God already took it off. 


Walk boldly into His presence! Never put that veil back on. Die daily, and trust in His love and mercy.


(Photo borrowed from flicker. Click photo to go to its author.)