This is a post I was going to write last week, but other topics got ahead of it. Sometimes it is nice to have a post or two sitting in waiting.

Mom and Revis were married a week ago Saturday (May 15). The wedding was really lovely. Mom was pretty and was clearly happy. The party the night before and the wedding itself were fun. I had gone up a day early to take Dorothy, Revis' Mom, sightseeing. We had a good time. At the family cookout on Friday night my uncles prepared brisket, ribs, chicken, grilled shrimp, grilled portobello mushrooms, and boiled crab legs. That for 22 people; we had lots of food.

The day of the wedding I had still not written the blessing I was to do at the end of the ceremony (I didn't do the ceremony itself). I was dealing with a welter of emotions, so I simply just left the house -- I didn't even tell anyone I was leaving. I drove over to Lake Hefner and sat on a bench. There I prayed, meditated, and read scripture. It is amazing to me how effective these spiritual practices are. I soon was feeling completely better and was finally in the mood to write the prayer. I based it on the book of Philippians, which is what I read while sitting on the bench. Let me share it with you:

Today I read the Book of Philippians. It is a letter of joy, fitting for this occasion. Now we go to God in prayer to bless this marriage. Open yourselves to teh joy that is found in Christ.

God of grace and peace,
We thank you for Revis & Cheryl and we thank you that they have found each other.
We are confident that this today is a good work, a good work that will continue to grow and to bless those who encounter it.

Our prayer is that their love would overflow, producing a harvest of blessing to the glory and praise of you.

May Christ be exalted in this marriage and be the true center of this union.

May we all find encouragement, consolation, compassion, and joy in this marriage. May it not only flow into their relationship, but outward to the benefit of others. May they shine like stars in this dark world.

We know that their effort is not in vain. The resurrection is our hope that the good and beautiful things of this world will find an eternal home.

Let us press on toward the goal, in agreement, conforming to the glory of God.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, willl guard your hearts and your minds in Chirst Jesus.

Amen. Alleluia.