Shannon and Joe's Wedding Homily

This evening, February 23, I presided over the celebration of marriage for Joe and Shannon Summers. This was an interesting service because (as reported in the homily) they ran into a peck of trouble on the way to the altar. They are a wonderful couple and may God bless them and their new family with much joy now and forever. Amen.

This is going to sound a little unusual, but Shannon, Joe, and everyone assembled to witness their wonderful and glorious wedding, let us take this moment and take a deep breath. You’ve been preparing for this moment for a long time and the last two days have been hectic in overdrive. So let’s take a moment and just breathe in the moment. In through the nose and out from the mouth. If it helps, close your eyes for a moment and let us rejoice, we are here.

As for how I got here, I met Shannon and Joe for the first time less than 48 hours ago at the Dairy Queen in Waskom. A little earlier a major part of their wedding plans fell to pieces. Suddenly they needed a new minister for their wedding because their minister had a family emergency, and they didn’t know anybody else. It ended up throwing a monkey wrench the size of a large gorilla into their wedding plans. Friends of friends connected us, for which I say “Praise God!”

As we chatted at the DQ, I gave them one of those little pieces of wedding advice I give all couples, “The ceremony will not go perfectly; so don’t be surprised when it happens, just roll with it.” That’s when Shannon said “You mean something else?” I kind of shrugged because, well, yes, something else. That was when she said, “Well, if God is with us…”

What a wonderful thing to say. What a wonderful faith to have. Sometimes life goes to thunder and when it does if God is with us… if God is with us who or what can possibly stand against us.

This is a very holy expression too. Our reading from the psalms confesses confidence and trust in God as our sure refuge in times of trouble. Fear has no hold on those who heed the instruction, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Life will have its pitfalls, but that isn’t why we’re here today. Of course it’s not! We’re here to celebrate the creation of a new family. Sons and daughters come together as Shannon and Joe wed. New family bonds are borne. Teens and toddlers come together. Relationships with new aunts and uncles and new grandparents are forged. These new relationships, this new household does not begin lightly. Shannon and Joe come together in the words of the Psalmist, in the strength of the Lord.

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult. 

Through all of the trials and tribulations the world throws your way, you still know your refuge and your strength. Yes the world changes, and in all of these changes, the Lord is your God. Through this blessing you have done more than survived, by the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the power of his Holy Spirit, you have thrived in your love. That is the blessing we need to take when things go sideways, that God is still in control.

Shannon, you are so right, when God is with us no one can stand against us. As the psalmist says, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” In this truth, one of the greatest truths in the gospel, this is where you make your new home.

So now, before we continue. Let’s take one more breath. Let’s rest in the outstretched arms of the loving God. And let us smile and celebrate that you make your new life as a new family in the house of the Lord.

Amen.