With a light snow draping the ground the bride and groom decided on the perfect spot.
The family marched down the hill, as though we were going on a hike. As the little ones took rose petals and dropped them in the bright white snow, I closed my eyes and took a breath. When I opened them, there stood before me my oldest Son Phillip , his blushing bride Kaylee and his 6 year old Gabriel. I was taking it all in. I was not just a mother of the groom, but the officiate.
When the kids proposed this to me, I could not see it happening. I am that girl that cries at every occasion happy or sad. No joke, I will cry singing happy birthday. I feel emotions of everyone around me. In many ways it can be a great gift to have. If you are going through a life event and want someone to feel what you feel, I’m your girl. At other times like today, my sons wedding where he asked me to officiate, it could be overwhelming.
I start off with a prayer and peace comes over me. The week leading up to the wedding was anything but peaceful. I was in my secret place questioning if I was going to be able to pull it off without bawling. I prayed they would even find someone else. As I did this I would hear that small voice say prepare.
I was obedient, but it was not easy! I asked in prayer, what scripture do I use? I am not a pastor, or preacher. Am I even allowed to do this? This is when I heard you have the tools, prepare. I had been ordained over 10 years ago to perform a wedding. So yes, I had the tools.
As I say “he put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” I was lead to tell the kids, how God didn’t just mean this scripture for them going into a new life as one. But, in marriage there are good days and bad days and they will have to help each other to look for the “new song” and Praise him in all things.
With a nod and a smile from each of them, I asked them to face each other and repeat their vows, when the shimmer of water off my sons cheeks caught my attention. Oh how my momma knees buckled. I knew right then why, me.
You can almost still smell the coals burning, the pain has been so deep. Today this man of our family was saying no more! We all opened our hearts for the signs that poured in. A wedding on a dust of ash bringing “new life”.
As I pronounced them husband and wife
They embraced with a kiss,
I paused to thank God for your part.
God had a message that week it wasn’t just for the bride and groom or even me, it was for our family. We will not find you here, but you left us many seeds of your love.
He gave us all a “New Song” under the Tree you planted long ago.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:3 NIV
https://psalm.bible/psalm-40-
