The Sunday Wedding

The day was as perfect as it gets for an October day in the Michigan countryside. Sunshine, warm breeze and the beautiful reds, yellows and oranges of the changing trees were pleasing to the senses. The guests arrived, a mingle of family, friends and the congregation. The bride happens to be the pastor's daughter. The decorations simple and perfect. Lit candles flickered on the shelves at each window in the sanctuary and white twinkle lights wrapped with lace lined the aisle. Each wrote their own vows. He promised to be imperfect. She promised to love him still. As Jesus humbly washed the feet of his disciples, the bride and groom did the same, symbolizing their humbling spirits to serve one another as husband and wife. The ceremony wrapped up with Pastor allowing the groom to kiss his daughter, the bride. By the time we walked outside for the reception, the sun was down and the moon was but a sliver. The sweet country air enhanced the energy of the night. Mason jars with candles illuminated the walkway to the canopies. The white twinkle lights that gave just enough light under the canopies were romantic but still paled in comparison to the stars that filled the night sky. At each table was a mason jar of grape juice and a loaf of fresh, homemade bread to be served for Communion. So much love, joy and laughter filled the air at the tiny church that is in the middle of almost nowhere, on the edge of a farmer's field. What an extraordinary evening, a perfect Sunday wedding.

The Country Has No Fast Lanes

I had to chuckle to myself this morning as I was out driving. I was in no hurry. I could have taken the highway and been home in half the time that it took me to get home by way of the back roads. I love the back roads. Driving them is like watching God in motion (even though I'm the one who's actually moving). It was early enough that the road warriors were still hurrying to get to their day jobs. It was also early enough that the farmers were out on the roads either on their tractors or pulling their large farming equipment, heading to their fields for harvesting, not in quite a hurry as the road warriors. Driving in the opposite direction as them, I can see the frustration welling up on one road warrior's face as he was unable to pass the massive John Deere. While living in the country, driving in the fast lane of life is not an option certain times of the year. As the sun reflects off the droplets of morning dew that have settled on the browning corn stalks, slow down and take time to witness God's reflection in your life. Enjoy your time with God in the slow lane. He's in no hurry. Why should you be?

Death Of A Marriage

It is times like this when the internet and e-communications is not user "friendly", when an intimate conversation is far more appropriate and necessary. That's all I'll say on that matter.
When I opened the email and read it today, I couldn't believe what I was reading. The words jumping off the screen were surreal, shocking to say the least. "We have split" keeps ringing in my brain. What? My stomach twists as I feel like somebody I love dearly had just died. How can it be that a marriage that appeared to be built on solid rock for over two decades has been washed away with the shifting sand?
I am incredibly grieved by this revelation. I am saddened by the butterfly effect this will have on their children's relationships, their future grandchildren and so forth. This heartbreak is a reminder of how vulnerable our spirits are. It forces us to put our own relationships into perspective and assess where we stand with one another and work on the issues that may seem like a mere grain of sand right now.
In the meantime, I will pray for healing and restoration for this family. I love them that much.