Monday Musings ... on Tuesday

My musings are different today, because I was not at my church on Sunday. My daughter oldest daughter got married on Saturday and we visited a good friends church on Sunday. It was a great weekend. The wedding went well. My daughter was beautiful. I was able to give her away to great young man who loves Jesus. I was honored to do most of the ceremony. My son began the ceremony then handed it off to me after I gave her away. Amazingly I made through the whole thing without crying. During the prayer I came close to losing it. 3 of my grandsons were ushers. 1 grandson was supposed to be a ring bearer, he made in rehearsal but not so much for the wedding. 2 granddaughters were flowergirls. The 7 year was in the height of her glory and did wonderful. The 1 and 1/2 year hesitated, went half way and then I picked her up and carried her the rest of the way while escorting my daughter down the aisle. My youngest daughter and daughter in law were bridesmaids. My already son in law sang a solo and did great. So you can see it was a family affair which is exactly what my daughter wanted.

My challenge to the couple was from Romans 15:5-7. It was obvious early in their relationship that this would be a divided relationship. She loves Notre Dame football, he bleeds blue and gold for Michigan. She is an avid Colts fan and he says "Bear Down" for the Chicago Bears. She roots for the Pacers and he cheers for the Bulls. But the saving grace, and what helped ease him into the family is that they are both big Cubs fans. Thus my challenge was that they live with a spirit of unity in their marriage. Not in sports, but in their life. The sports are fun and sometimes more important to us than it should be, it is not vital or eternal. The unity starts with their personal relationship with Christ and must continue in their relationship with each other. I challenged them keep the big picture in mind when they have disagreements, and they will. The big picture is the relationship with Christ and their marriage for a lifetime. I challenged to have one heart and stayed united in their relationship. Voice their differences and work them out with the goal to be united. To be accepting of their differences and to work on being unified because they put the needs of the other first.

It was a real joy to have the best position in the house as they shared their vows, exchanged rings, lit the unity candle and spoke with each other during the song. To be able to pray over them for the first time as married couple. To pronounce them husband and wife. To have the honor introducing them for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. All of these things were so much fun and a real joy. I am blessed that each of my children have married such wonderful people and they all love the Lord.

The reception was a blast. Great times of catching up and sharing with family and friends. Getting to know my daughter's inlaws was a real blessing as well. Then on Sunday morning to attend the church of one of my former staff members. He planted the church a couple of years ago and it is doing great. To hear him preach, to see the people being reached and to sense the excitement in the place was a real treat. We spent some time with great friends and then we brought 2 grandkids home with us for a few days.

It was a special weekend. I was reminded many times that I am blessed way beyond what I deserve.