Family. What would we do and who would we be without family? Why is it the people you love and care about the deepest are the very same people that can break you down, wear you out, and turn your life into a series of chaotic and wired moments?My wonderful daughter was married to a wonderful man Saturday. For me, the day was about her and making that day a highlight of how special and holy marriage is and the rite of passage that her life will never be the same again. For the most part, I think that happened. My hope is that happened.
But I realize now that my emphasis was wrongly placed. I realize now that I forgot something. I forgot to acknowledge God's hand in all of it. I realize now that the emphasis should have been placed on Him, and offering this day as a celebration of His love, and thanking Him for this moment, my daughter, her new husband, their love for each other, and asking for God's blessing. I realize now that it should have been about Him and His love.
If I would have done that, I think that certain things that happened, would not have happened. When God is not acknowledged, people think that they are in control. They think that it is their doing if something is a success, and if it's a failure, well, that's a subject for another blog entry. If the emphasis would have been placed on God and His love, egos would have been left at the door.
I believe people want to do the right thing. I've learned that it's not just about the outcome of doing the right thing, it's also about the process or path implemented to get there. For example, pictures taken at a wedding are important. They are to last for a lifetime and will hopefully be something that the bride and groom will cherish as the most important day of their lives and serve as a reminder through the years of the love that was present that day, inspiring them to hold on to that day and to keep their hearts soft for each other.
I see now that the pictures represent something more. They represent a moment in time when friends and family come together to support the two spirits who have chosen each other as life partners, and to reflect the goodness and holiness of their decision. I can see as the photograher looks through the camera lense, that he is trying to capture not just the moment in time, but the spark, the glint of love in the spirits who are present.
And the pictures that were taken do just that. They captured it all, and more. If only we could take the camera's lense and turn it on ourselves so that we could better see ourselves and to understand the reasons for the things we do, and to go further, to zoom in and show us what we need to see so that we can change our ways and be lovingly productive instead of unconsciously destructive. That old cliche is true, a picture can say a thousand words. The pictures came out beautiful. Now if only we can forget the words.
Dear Lord, please bless this marriage. Please bless all those people who attended the wedding. Remind us that you are in control and it is through others that we serve you. Thank you for all you have done for us and for your love. Where would we be without you.
