One of our dear, dear friends got married today. The church was full of twinkling Christmas lights and stained glass shining in the setting sun. The isle was lined with white bows and candles. The groom (our friend) walked out with the biggest goofy grin on his face, and it didn't leave until he got his first glimpse of his lady in her gown. Then he just kinda melted.
All the ladies were in draped black strapless dresses carrying white flowers with a red flower in the center. The first attendant down the isle carried my friend's son (who was totally adorable in his little tuxedo suit with no shoes on :), and then finally his lady. She was in a strapless draped dress carrying red roses and looked like a fairy tale bride. The entire ceremony was filled with giggles and happy tears.
This was our dear friend who swore he would never marry. He was a big 'ol goofy grinnin' gettin' married fool today.
It was such a blessing and gift to watch him marry such a beautiful and wonderful woman, and to hear prayer and scripture put over their marriage.
We have known him since he was fourteen. He was an usher in our wedding. We helped him get his business off the ground. We were there when his dad past on. We were there for the birth of his son. We were there tonight. Walking through life with someone is the greatest treasure.
I love the gifts that God grants. They are almost never in shiny paper and topped with a bow. But they refresh your heart and bring joy to your soul.
I will leave you with the scriptures that were read during the ceremony today.
I saw today a glimmer of love that will only know full brightness in Heaven.
But what a preview.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
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