When my daughter, Kaitie, was in college, I had the pleasure of getting to know many of her friends. It seemed as though two of them were pivotal in where everyone else gravitated. Kaitie’s girlfriend was famous for her deep-fried pickles plus she always had the best snacks on hand for everyone who stopped by. Kaitie’s girlfriend’s guy friend was the life of the party with a smile that warmed the room. I don’t know anyone who didn’t feel uplifted being around him.
Recently we attended the wedding of this delightful
couple. It was beautiful, as most
weddings are. However, one part of the
ceremony has lingered in my thoughts long past the weekend.
The bride and groom had just said their vows to one
another. The priest asked for the rings
so he could pray over them before the couple placed them on one another’s
hand. That is when, out of the corner of
my eye, I saw a man, perhaps around 40 years old or so. Somewhat awkwardly he slowly left the pew
where he was seated and proceeded to the front of the church where he gave the
groom the rings. Once his job was
completed, he turned back to the pews and returned to a seat (not his) and
quite loudly announced that he had done a good job! Although the bride was stunningly beautiful
and the handsome groom was smiling, all eyes were on the ring bearer as he so
beautifully expressed his joy.
I found my eyes filled with tears as I realized that the
bride and groom had purposefully chose to include their differently abled uncle
in their ceremony. At their marriage, as
in their future, all were welcomed. In
their relationship this day and going forward, they created a place where others were
at home. As they started their married
life together, they wanted their love to draw people in and to say, “You belong
here.”
Back at Linfield when they were dating, I got to witness
these two choosing to be poured out like Christ. Although not in the form of bread and wine,
they were offering food and drink for their community (most often ~ munchies and beer). Like Jesus, all who were around them felt their
love. Fast forward to their wedding day
and they still were choosing to “love God with their whole hearts and their
neighbors as themselves.”
Being witness to this kind of grace was food for the soul
and what bountiful nourishment it was!
Thanks for reading.
Lori
#LoveGodLoveNeighbor
#VanToHan #CarmodyStateOfMind
