December 18 – “Mission Accomplished”

It’s a very early morning this morning.  Like 4:30 or 5:00 early.  I had to get up extra early to perform a sunrise wedding.  I guess my body was making sure I wouldn’t be late, too, because the only really good sleep I had last night came between the hours of 2 and 4.  Nothing specific, just restless.  I finally gave up about a quarter to five and got out of bed. 

Sunrise weddings are some of the most beautiful here on the Island.  And in this particular case I was asked to officiate as the fire department chaplain.  That meant I also had to dress up in my class A uniform … tie and all.  Takes me a while to remember where everything goes whenever a tie is involved, even if it is a clip-on.  And then I decided not to wear the hat.  Just didn’t make sense, since I would have to take it off every time we prayed.  As it turned out, the groom didn’t wear his hat either, so we were all good.  The bride decided to use the San Luis hotel gazebo for the ceremony instead of going all the way down to the sand.  The bride and groom did go take some photos after the ceremony so that the photographer could take advantage of the rising sun.  Should be some beautiful ones, so I’ll say it now … Nice job, Photographer.  Mission Accomplished.

Everyone gathered inside the hotel for a few pre-ceremony pictures.  If you haven’t been by the San Luis Hotel to see their decorations, it is worth the trip.  Animated reindeer and tinsel and garland and decorated Christmas trees everywhere.  With such a backdrop they just couldn’t pass up the opportunity for some family photos in front of the tree.  I’d like to see those photos.  See, hanging on the tree right behind the bride and groom was a strange-looking, elf-like creature.  His placement made it look like he was photobombing the photo op right over the groom’s shoulder.  When the time came to begin, it was the bride who took charge.  As the groom and I walked outside we heard her commanding voice, instructing the crown to get out on the gazebo and wait there for her to enter.  I have heard that tone of voice before in similar situations.  It was clearly reminiscent of one unmistakable eloquence.  Coming from the mouth of the beautiful bride was the voice of … a wedding coordinator.  And it got everyone’s attention.  Within seconds the gazebo was receiving family members and the bride was grasping the arms of her Dad and Grandad.  Nice job, Bride.  Mission Accomplished. 

Now in any wedding, no matter how well prepared you are, there are bound to be some snafus, or at the very least some unique “memories” made. No exception here.  The bride was walking from the hotel interior out to the gazebo, escorted by her grandfather on one side and her dad on the other.  The Granddad walked with a cane, and I found out later that the Dad had just injured his knee falling from a tree.  Their path was simple, just a few steps on the concrete, then a transition to the grass for a few more steps, before joining everyone in the gazebo.  The thing is, her dress was a really beautiful gown with about a two-foot train on the end.  Simple but elegant.  As they reached the grass, Granddad stopped.  Those of us in the gazebo assumed at first that he might be anticipating some difficulty with walking on the soft, dew-covered surface.  But that wasn’t it.  Now, again, everyone was already in the gazebo except for the three of them, so we couldn’t hear what was going on.  But from our perspective, as GrandDad slowed to a stop, he reached over and … did he just goose the bride?  Sure appeared so from our angle.  Snickers abounded from the gazebo crowd when the bride jumped in response.  However, what was actually happening?  Good old GrandDad was simply trying to help the bride get her dress off the wet grass.  She realized it quickly, and was able to gather up the train enough to satisfy GrandDad.  Mission accomplished, GrandDad.  We gotta take care of the youngsters, don’t we?

Dad was very nervous before the ceremony, especially when we were explaining to him about his role of presenting the bride, and his task of answering the “Who presents this woman” question.  To calm him down a bit, I told him the story of how Christi’s Dad turned and addressed the crowd before her and Josh’s wedding.  I ended with this word of encouragement, “You don’t have to do that.”  He laughed and was greatly relieved.  In fact when that “Who presents this woman” portion of the service came up, he performed admirably, saying with confidence, “I do that … without a speech.”  Nice job, Dad.  Mission Accomplished.

We made it through the ceremony with no problems at all.  Vows have been made.  Rings have been exchanged.  Pictures have been … well, at least they have begun.  The fearless fireman and his beaming bride have been joined together under God as one.  Nice job, you two.  Mission Accomplished.

Matthew 19:4-6 says, “’Haven't you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Father God, that’s Mission Accomplished for this young couple.  Walk with them as they stand together to face the life before them.  Draw them closer to you.  That’s the only way they can really get to know each other better.  Maybe it would be better to say – rather than “Mission Accomplished”- Mission Begun.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.