Tip of My Iceberg

You’d think by our fifth wedding, I’d have some familiarity with routine. Expectations.

What became abundantly clear was that, apart from that fact that a couple ended the evening as husband and wife, there are no givens. No guarantees.

But a lot of fun.

Our daughter, Courtney, married Michael Wickberg in an evening ceremony in Bailey, Colorado. A beautiful outdoor venue with a backdrop of the golden hues of changing aspen leaves and a magnificent meadow dotted with flowers.

And there was rain. A lot of rain.

Two hours before the ceremony, the rain was coming so fast and the temperature had dropped so quickly, we were concerned that we’d have to go to plan B for the ceremony.

There was no plan B. Courtney was committed to  having a mountain wedding. Not an indoor wedding in the mountains.

We watched and waited. There was much bustling and hustling to finish up last minute details. Courtney, her bridesmaids and I spent a lot of time in a little room, checking the weather apps. The wedding planner and caterers were doing the same thing. The wedding planner was much more hopeful. (I found out later that she was trying to keep a record in tact. She’d never had a wedding rained out.)

Thirty minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to start, the rain stopped. The sun came out. No one could believe it. People driving up the mountain had barely been able to see to drive.

A miracle.

Isn’t that what marriage is supposed to be? The miracle of two people coming together to become one. One in heart, one in spirit, one in purpose. A commitment made before God and witnesses to keep vows of honor to one another. To choose to cherish each other. Above all others.

Not words to be taken lightly. Not a commitment to be dismissed easily.

I watched these two young people, whom I love, admire and respect, enter into this covenant with each other and God, full of hope and anticipation of life together.

I realized how much courage it takes to make a commitment like that.

Our friend, Mike, who officiated, reminded them that tomorrow–every next day–the brokenness of the world would try to undo the commitment they’d just made.

Life is like that. I plan and prepare and fully expect things to turn out accordingly. When difficult times come up, and things get in the way of the plan, my response is rarely thoughtful and proactive.

In my anger, I often want to quit.

God perseveres with me. He doesn’t leave me to fend for myself, even when I get an attitude.

“For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my Helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’”   Hebrews 13:5b-6

God is with me, giving me the courage and wisdom to make right choices. Other voices, loud voices, will try to block His words. But He is strong enough to combat any lie that sneaks into my thoughts.

He is the mortar of real commitment.

Congratulations, Courtney and Michael.

Enjoy the journey of choosing wisely and well.