A little perspective, a lot of love

This weekend was Pastor Matt and Grace's wedding. It was lovely, and I feel blessed that I was able to attend. Going into it, I was a little preoccupied with othr things. We had spent all week working on decorations, and we got to the church at 10AM to help set up. It was a freakin' hot day, and then we got caught in traffic on the way back to the church.

But then... the wedding. Matt and Grace had to plan their wedding in six weeks, because his mom is dying. About two weeks ago the doctors said she had about a week left. But by the grace of God, prayers, and his mom's will to see her son get married, she made it. It was so touching to see this woman in a wheelchair and with breathing tubes in her nose, wearing her hanbok and looking so happy. Everyone was so glad she was there. And at some point during the ceremony, I realized again how amazing weddings are, and how beautiful it is to see two people whom God has chosen for each other come together in marriage.

We sang praise songs instead of hymns, songs chosen by Matt and Grace and just so reflective of them. They said their vows and exchanged rings, with such conviction and love. And then they hugged their parents. The look on Grace's face when she hugged her mom and then her dad brought tears to my eyes.When she leaned over and hugged Matt's mom, you could hear his mom murmuring to her. And when Matt leaned over to hug his mom, she wouldn't let go, and then in a clear voice she said, "I love you, my son."

Now if you know me, you know I always cry at the honoring the parents portion of weddings. But when Matt's mom said that... I pretty much wept. And so did everyone else around me. You could just hear the love in her voice, and the strength. It made me so happy that she was there, but broke my heart that she wouldn't be there to share in their lives together. It was such a beautiful moment of love and devotion, of a mother's love for her son.

As the wedding ended, it encouraged me so much to see two people so obedient to God's will, and joyfully submitting to God and each other. And then they walked down the eye to the strains of "Eye of the Tiger." What better way to end a ceremony.

Another thing I loved about this wedding was the way that so many people pitched in help Matt and Grace have a wonderful day. So many people from church got their early to set up, and so many people stayed to clean up. At one point I looked down the food line, and all of the food servers were my church members. It rocked. I go to an awesome church.

I have three more weddings to go to this summer and I think my attitude towards them has changed. Instead of looking at them as places I need to go to and big money sucking parties, I'm trying to remember that they are beautiful occasions and that I should be honored my friends and family want me to share this day with them. I love weddings.