A Day of Great Joy Unspeakable

It’s not often that we are given a day of total and complete joy. It’s not often that we sense the Lord actually joining in with our worship and celebration – yes, even dancing with us. Yet it happened today.

Today, two of our own were married. Keith and Ruth became one in God and before man. Today they exchanged their vows in firm clear voices that everyone could hear. Today we were privileged to see the culmination of their love and courtship as they came together in marriage.

I had a grand-stand view of it all as I stood with Keith as his “best man” (his “groomsman” I think some of you call it) so I stood with him as Ruth arrived at the altar. I praised and worshipped the Lord with them as the anointing fell on the service – held in Keith’s own church where he is the assistant vicar, and conducted by his long time friend and mentor Bob who is retiring soon. I sat almost touching them both as they exchanged their vows.

I sat enthralled as Keith’s old friend Keith, (there were actually 4 Keiths present today), presented the Gospel and spoke about love to a packed church with their own congregation and many non-Christian friends and relations present. And YES, he did present the Gospel today in a new a very refreshing way. Today was our chance to show a doubting world how, we as Christians, view and celebrate marriage – and boy, did we take it. Both hands and out loud – very loud sometimes.

Everything done decently and in order, we had the traditional photo session. Then we retired for lunch when I had to help out a bit with a quick speech. It is traditional to have a little fun at the groom’s expense on such an occasion but I felt a little constrained and kept it to a minimum. Then Keith the groom also made a short speech of thanks, before finally Peter, Ruth’s dad had his 5 minutes. Suddenly it was time for them to leave for their honeymoon and everyone turned out to give them a grand warm send-off.

Yes it was one of those joyous times when we all clearly felt the presence and blessing of the Lord on proceedings. Yes – it truly was a wonderful privilege to be even a small part of it. And yes – there will be lots of photographs to browse through – later on – at our leisure. Thank you Lord – all praise, Glory, and honour to you for a wonderful day.

Hallelujah and AMEN \o/