Wedding Season

 I recently attended a wedding, I could say all the things one says about weddings; the bride was lovely, the couple happy, the details carefully thought out but it was the community that struck me the fellowship of family and friends joined together in celebration. This observation led to a series of thoughts that while the bride and groom are the focal point, you will miss something very special if you over look the community that surrounds them. 

It reminded me of my own wedding. I was married in 2012 in my parents backyard. It was early November in Florida so perfect weather minus the superstorm that had recently passed through (remember Sandy).  My parents and our dear family friends had spent countless hours planning, making lists, painting, hanging twinkle lights, even my soon to be in laws joined in to help the week of the wedding, with small details like mulching the walkways. My friend and I spent a night baking cupcakes to freeze for the wedding, another friend helped with plumbing issues, sound systems, fire ant control (if you live in Florida you know). All these little details came together in what my husband and I had prayed for our wedding day to be filled with- Joy, Fellowship, and Jesus at the Center. 

A wedding is not just about the bride and groom it is also about the community that surrounds them. Community/ Fellowship is so important, people want to be asked to help, to be included, to be thought of to live life alongside you. We miss something so special when we try to do things on our own. We weren't meant to be isolated. 

In my musings I thought about the Marriage Supper of the lamb in Revelation; the couple in the center and the multitude rejoicing them. A feast was prepared and all gathered in celebration, who has ever heard of a feast for two? 

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God

 the Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and exult

 and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

 and his Bride has made herself ready;

8 it was granted her to clothe herself

 with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

9 And the angel said[a] to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

I was honored to celebrate this recent couples marriage. I hope to celebrate many more and to pass on what has come to be very dear to me, community. The quick yes to help, and the vulnerability of opening up my life to more.