Volume 122: Rest in the Maiers

I had just gotten mic'ed up, awkwardly adjusting to the two audio boxes, cold to my skin, hooked on to the back of my dress. 

It was official... The ceremony was beginning in 30 minutes!

As I was walking back to the bridal suite, my cousin, Jeff, stopped me and asked how I was feeling. I said I was ready, but then... he asked "can I pray for you?"

And tears immediately filled my eyes. 

The day began with 8:45 AM hair and makeup appointments and was nonstop until the 6 PM ceremony. Luckily, I had practiced my speech many many times the past couple of months, so I didn't need to practice. But what had been missing the whole day was any quiet or praying or even mention of God on the wedding day. 

Even the night before, at the rehearsal dinner, I was given strict instructions to say a blessing but it had to be "non-denominational."

From the very first phone call when Matthew and Celia asked me to officiate, they explicitly stated, "we do not want it to be religious."

Since then, I had been feeling a tension - how do I ignore what I find to be the whole basis of marriage? How do I just lead this wedding based on human merit? 

I thought God was going to be absent on this big day...

And man, I thought wrong. 

Despite no formal prayers or worship or Scripture, God was present. 

I saw God in the moment I stood up at the altar with my brother, just me and him, as he hugged all of his groomsmen that walked down the aisle. He had the biggest smile on his face as each one approached, all of his friends from 14 + years. 

I saw God in the moment Rory walked down the aisle and we shared a group hug. That my brother in law that joined the family over seven years ago has become like a real brother to me. 

I saw God in the moment of Celia walking down the aisle with her Mom and Dad on both sides, honoring a Jewish tradition. And the gentle sound of Matthew's sniffles as he was overwhelmed at her beauty. And Celia's calmness all throughout the day - she was so chill and stated "this is so fun! I want to do this everyday!"

I saw God in the moment that my Dad gave his Best Man toast, so proud of his son and excited to have Celia as a daughter. As he talked, Matthew and Celia, sitting hand in hand, with the biggest grin on their face, always so kind to our Dad. 

I saw God in the moment that Matthew and Mom had their first dance and talked the whole time, taking in the moment. And my Mom looking absolutely beautiful! 

I saw God in the moment I looked around the dance floor and was surrounded by my cousins. Even as the youngest out of all my cousins, when we are all together, it feels timeless - like we are all the same age we were growing up. 

I saw God in the moment my friends texted me that they were praying for me that day! What a powerful thing! I am so grateful for Christian community in which we support one another through prayer - because in addition to prayer, it provides great comfort by the fact that you're not alone. 

I look back on this day and I see God all throughout. The families meeting. The laughter. The dancing. The joy! 

I am grateful for a God who is beyond our human understanding! A God who can do amazing things, with or without us! He is always working and always moving. 

Like in the book of Ruth when God feels absent, yet His grace is so obviously present throughout. What a powerful story of God's faithfulness!