Ecclesiastes
3:1-15, “…A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to
dance…”
I had the great pleasure of presiding of my youngest daughter's wedding this Friday June 27th, 2014. These of the word of a father, from the Father.
"We
are gathered here today to celebrate with Katherine Anne Yuna and Michael Walter
Van Muers their commitment to one another in the ceremony of marriage.
Marriage…
have you ever stopped to reflect on how much the marriage ceremony is like
marriage itself. Who doesn’t want to believe in the fantasy of riding off with
their Prince Charming and living happily ever after? We go to great expense and
sacrifice to create this ceremony, to create the send off for our damsel and
her prince. Well, I am here to tell you that a marriage every bit as beautiful
as this ceremony is possible.
Like
this ceremony marriage takes work. It takes compromises. It is stressful at
time, and exciting at others. Like this ceremony marriage is full of beautiful
moments, but marriage is not only fresh flowers and pristine garments. No... marriage has flowers that wilt too. It has garments that mean so much today but
that often forgotten… mothballed in an attic.
We
have all heard the vows couples say to one another. They commit to love for
better of for worse. Well I am here to tell you that there is no worse. Only
when you fall prey to the illusion of worse will you marriage suffer. Romans
8:28 says, “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” If you
both will commit to not only loving each other, but God first, then even the worst of
times will be good. That is His promise not mine.
Couples
marry for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in health and sickness, but
I’m here to tell you that if you will let it… worse, poorer, and sickness are
all good for those who love God. Not everything about this ceremony has gone as
planned, and yet the totality of it is beautiful. Every desire has not been
fulfilled, and yet this day will be remembered in many minds for years to come.
You two are probably so nervous you won’t remember anything I have said, but I
do want to offer this one piece of wisdom.
If
you want this marriage to end in a fairytale… happily ever after, then always
look for, strive to have peace in your home. I am not saying quite… I am saying
peace. Peace will follow love, and love will always consider the other’s needs
above their own.
Katherine, there will be times when Michael is
dead set in his way, and that way is going to be completely contrary to your
logic or experience. Let him have his way in the name of love and peace, AND
trust God the He will cause EVERYTHING to work together for good.
Michael,
there are going to be times when Katherine is stubborn as a mule… I know, I
raised her… let her have her way. Nothing in life teaches us like experiencing
it for ourselves, and besides… God will cause EVERYTHING to work together for
good.
To
both of you, you both will be wrong the majority of the time. Katherine you
will be wrong. Michael you will be wrong so you both need to be willing to find
the third option. That third option is God’s way. It is God’s plan. When you
find Katherine going right, and Michael going left, look up because that is the
direction you need to be going.
Michael
and Katherine you guys are young and though you think you know what love is,
trust me you are just beginning to learn. Love, in its purest form is all we
need. God tells us that He is love. Jesus told us that we need to do nothing
more than love God, and love each other. Love encompasses forgiveness, honor,
faithfulness, patience, and all that is good. So with that in mind..."
