December 4 – “I love weddings”

 

 

I had another interesting wedding this weekend.  The rehearsal was supposed to start at 7:30 Friday night.  We scheduled it primarily because of the youngest child involved, the flower girl, who was around 4 or 5 years old.  The bride did finally arrive near 7:30, but the groom and his family didn't get there until well after 8.  The little flower girl by that time was too tired to do any rehearsing.  We went through the motions, though, and as it turned out we were able to isolate some logistical issues. 

 

It was a case of blending families, so they wanted their children involved in the service.  Instead just the bride and groom lighting a unity candle, they had three unity candles, one on the main Lord's Supper table in the center, and one on each of two side tables.  The four children involved would each pick up a candle and work together to light a center candle.  Then the bride and groom had their turn.  Kind of a different take on the tradition, but it looked like it would work well.

 

Until we got to the service on Saturday and found out that we could not use the center table.  In that church, that particular table was considered special and could only be used to hold the Lord's Supper.  So we had to rearrange the candles.  The kids did fine in making the adjustment on the fly during the service.  We made it through the service without any further ado.

 

Oh, did I mention that we didn't get started quite on time?  The groom and his entourage were not in the building when it was time to start.  He finally called about twenty minutes later and let us know he was on his way.  I began giving updates to the guests about where he was and what his approximate time of arrival would be.  They responded pretty well.

 

Then when we did get started, I asked if all was ready with the bride so the groom and I could make our entrance.  I was assured that they were standing at the ready, so we walked to the front of the church and took our places.  And nothing happened.  And nothing happened.  And nothing happened.  I whispered to the groom that the musician was probably waiting for a cue from the back of the church to start, and the people at the back of the church were probably waiting for a musical cue.  I told him we could be standing there for another 15 or 20 minutes.  He almost passed out.  I had to assure him that I was kidding, but it did take another two or three minutes before they actually began.  I love weddings.  Never a dull moment. 

 

Isaiah 26:3-4 says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal."

 

Father, watch over the new family that was created last night.  Amen.