Wedding of Tears: The gift

The Wedding of Tears

It has been several years since I last attended a wedding.   Recently, a dear friend invited me to attend her granddaughter’s wedding.  I wrestled a bit thinking of what good excuse I might have for not attending.  After all, I would not know anyone except my friend and I would have no escort.  But with her constant inquiries … was I coming.  I made the commitment to attend.

This was a small wedding in a quaint little sanctuary nestled in a wooded area.  (Just driving up to the church, I had thoughts of when I was a child and attend small rural church services.)  It was a beautiful spring day and my thoughts of this young couple uniting in marriage – made me smile. 

Well from the time I walked into the sanctuary, I saw a group of young men standing at the front of church chatting.  It took my breath away to see them all in uniform.  A man in uniform just brings me to “tears” just knowing the commitment they are making for our country.  So before I ever laid eyes on any ladies in the bridal team, my heart was filled with tears of joy seeing these young men stand together. 

As we all sat waiting for the service to start, I listened carefully to the pianist and the music that was selected to welcome guests.  There were songs of love and commitment.  It was nice to hear the music and be reminded of my own wedding and the years I spent with Dennis as his wife.  I smiled thinking how these two young people had no idea what was in store for their lives but I did know they were in love.  They were about to start a journey of life that neither of them (nor any of us) can fully grasp. 

And finally, the processional began with attendants and the bride.  Everyone was beautiful but no one more so than the bride.  The flower girls were delighted with their pretty dresses and all the attention.  But when the bride entered … all eyes were focused on her.  Again, tears of joy fell softly down my cheek.  (I couldn’t help but wonder where all the years had gone.  I couldn’t help but remember the day I walked down the aisle knowing that Dennis was there to meet me and I would become his wife.)

When the ceremony was over, there was idle conversation while waiting for the bridal party to leave the sanctuary.  It was in that time, I heard the story of the groom.  Five years previous, he had been married to the bride’s best friend.  On one fall afternoon the groom got word that his father had passed away.  While he and his wife were traveling to make the arrangements – there was a tragic accident and the wife was killed.  So on this one day, this same groom had lost his father and his wife.  So on this day of the wedding I was attending, the groom married his deceased wife’s best friend.  All I could think was how God has a way of healing sorrows and leading us to paths of living in faith and hope for the future.

Then at the reception, I was talking with my friend and her daughter.  It was then that I asked if the groom had siblings.  They said he did indeed but they were unable to attend.  But they added that the couple who sat on the grooms side in the front – were the parents of his first wife.  His parents were both deceased.  In fact the man who did a reading during the service was the father of the deceased wife.  The new bride was like a daughter to them.

As the story unfolded, my heart rejoiced in the glory of our Father’s healing hands.  Any tears I had were not of sorrow (not even reflecting on my own wedding) --- but tears of pure joy.  What I am learning about faith, hope and love continues to comfort and encourage me.  What I am learning is that life goes on and love surrounds us in even the darkest of times.  We must embrace God’s will and His ability to strengthen our relationships with those around us.

Tears of joy were my gift that day:  the uniformed officers, the beautiful bride, the loving parents of the first wife and a great friend who wanted me to join her family in this celebration of matrimony – never knowing what a gift it would be.