March 13 – “Now pitching …”

So today is Daylight Savings Time day.  I set our clocks back like a good boy before we went to bed last night.  And amazingly enough, I woke up at 5:30.  Now that was really 4:30, so I should be way more tired than I feel right now. But then I need to be awake and alert because today is Sunday, after all.  And not just any Sunday.  Today we are hosting 35 or 40 extra people from Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin.  Actually they spent the night at the church last night, so in a sense they are hosting us in their bedroom, aren't they?    The wedding went off fine last night.  No serious complications, just the usual glitches.  They had two four year olds as ring bearer and flower girl.  The little guy was great, all dressed in his tuxedo, and proud to be carrying the pillow.  The girl was not so much excited about being there.  She decided she did not want to wear the crown of flowers they had on her head.  Said it was sticking her.  They insisted, so that led to her refusal to walk down the aisle.  She didn't throw a fit or anything.  She just stood there.  The boy tried holding her hand and taking her arm and even walking on ahead without her, but the farthest she would go was right to the edge of the back row.  The violin and piano reached the end of their song.  All eyes were on the little girl, so the boy bravely completed his walk alone.    Her Mom finally reached into her basket and dropped a few of her flowers to the ground, obviously trying to show her how important her job was.  And we could all see the light bulb go on in her head.  She stepped boldly to the center of the aisle, took a deep breath, reached into her basket for a handful of rose petals, and threw them with a force that would have made Nolan Ryan proud.  Then she grabbed another fistful and again threw with all her might.  Another.  And another.  And her basket was empty.  She had accomplished her task.  And she had not moved a step closer to the front.    Her Mom had gone on ahead to a seat on about the third row, and was coaxing her from there.  Light bulbs were flashing all over the crowd.  The girl never cried, never showed any signs of fear or even frustration.  Finally, amidst the flashing lights and giggling and pointing, she located her Mom.  Again, the recognition was visible all over her face.  She pursed her lips in determination.  One step.  Another.  She made it all the way to her Mom, who encouraged her to continue on to the front.  But alas.  The little one had arrived.  Mom was the end of her journey.  The flower tiara came off and she sat down, completely content with her accomplishment.  And that was enough for the crowd.  They clapped and cheered.  I wouldn't say the bride's arrival was an anti-climax, but … well, maybe it was.  Who could follow something like that?  They all heard the gospel as part of the ceremony.  The only other snafu came when the bride's veil fell off about halfway through the ceremony, but she calmly picked it up and handed it off to the maid of honor.  Mission accomplished.   Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"   Father, send your blessings on the couple from yesterday, on the group of missionaries from Austin, and on those who will receive their ministry this week.  Amen.