katie's blog

one of the bridesmaids for dawn's wedding wrote a really great blog about one of the many themes of the weekend. i really love how she doesn't just leave it at a man's pursuit of a woman but of God's pursuit of us.



Hot Pursuit

I was a bridesmaid for the first time on the West Coast this past weekend. It was in the San Diego area, and I got to take a three day weekend in order to be there for all the festivities.
It was warm, beautiful, spiritual, joyful, laughable, graceful and probably the most fun that I can remember having in a 72 hour period.

Although weddings can be drastically different, I find that they always elicit a response. Whether you’re a guy or a girl, young or old, married or very single, it’s as if each wedding asks a question that you find yourself pondering in the days to follow. That question is innate, yet can be unique to each of us.

My question this time was: Will I let myself be pursued?

Throughout the ceremony, the toasts, the dances, and the musical improv (yes, there was improv!), I lost track of how many times the word pursue was used. At the rehearsal dinner, glasses were raised to Jeff’s constant pursuit of his bride, Dawn, even across the country. At the ceremony, Jeff stood at the microphone and promised to always pursue Dawn everyday for the rest of their lives. Journey sang about Jeff pursuing Dawn from the beginning of their “friendship”. There were countless other uses of the word pursue, and it really got me thinking every time.

Like every other girl, I want to be pursued. I want to be sought hard after, found, and loved and appreciated for who I am. As discussed in my previous post, and also at Tuesday night small group, I, like most girls, have a hard time sitting back and letting this happen.

I am a natural pursuer of people. I love trying to figure out what makes them tick, what’s special about them, what others don’t see beneath the surface that could change humanity for the better. It is my joy to ask someone questions or have a conversation with them until I see what makes their eyes light up. I will always be this way, it’s how I was made and I love it!

But sometimes I want to be the one who is pursued. I want someone to find out my quirks and stay for the next round. I want someone to be so intrigued by me that they would follow me anywhere to find out more.

I recently realized that even as a very single girl, I do have a terribly romantic life. I have a God who pursues me everyday with sunsets and light breezes. I have friends who pursue me with brunches on the porch, offering protection on a dark walk home, sending flowers on a whim, and nights on the couch with hot chocolate and an old favorite movie. I have music and poetry and dancing. Romance follows me around the streets of L.A. like smog follows a clear day.

I do still look forward to being pursued by a man. So I have to say thanks to my friend Jeff for reminding me (and all his wedding guests) that this does still happen. Thanks to my friend Dan for always telling me stories of his persistent pursuit of his lovely girlfriend. Thanks to Dawn and Lynn for showing me what it looks like to be pursued by these courageous men.

This week I would really like to have your thoughts on the pursuit. Do you feel like you have to do all the chasing? Are you tired of pursuing relationships and not being pursued back? When was the last time you felt pursued? Are you ready to be pursued?

I’ve really appreciated your honesty and openness in joining me on this adventure.

Hopeful Always,
Katie



currently listening to: Desperate People, Hillsong United