Valentine’s Day was last Friday. I made a point to
deliver a small gift to my sweet at my Mom and Dad’s. Barbara has been staying
with them caring for my Mom following shoulder replacement surgery. I did well,
she was surprised. So off to the office for the typical activities, article
writing etc. Little did I know that day would be anything but typical?
I stepped into Emily’s office and she asked me if I
would marry a couple without counseling them. I said as a rule no. I usually
spend eight weeks with a couple before the ceremony help start conversations
for their marriage on a number of subjects. So I asked why? She told me a
couple wanted to get married today.
Now I was in it and wondered how we knew them? Turns
out we didn’t. They had simply called. I wondered why today and here. They had
made plans to get married that day in Augusta reserving a place and minister
etc. Her orders had been moved up to deploy. Family had traveled from northern
Alabama and the groom from Texas only to have none of the facilities available
on Valentine’s Day because of the ice storm. So, they had started heading South
with clothes in hand and family in tow trying to find a courthouse open and
someone to marry them (FYI the judges do that on specific days and Friday is
not one of those days). It was on like “Donkey Kong.”
I had time with the bride and groom to get a sense
of where they were in life and affirm and share the Gospel. All the while your
staff were putting together flowers including a bouquet and getting the
temperature right in the chapel. The bride was ready and so we went to the
chapel, Mom, Step-Dad, sister, groom and me waited for the bride to enter. It
was simple and simply wonderful. I pronounced them husband and wife, they
kissed and we took pictures. I told them they would have a story to tell their
family for years to come. You see the best stories are when and event went
sideways. The Thanksgiving turkey hit the floor, the Christmas tree fell over
etc. some animal ate part of the meal, those are the stories you tell over and
over and laugh until you hurt. We said goodbye and they were gone.
Some days you wonder was there a point? Sure it was
nice and awe on Valentine’s Day but it’s a lifetime commitment we are talking
about here not and single date. Then came a card in the mail. They wrote, “Under
our circumstances we would not have been able to make this happen without you
and we could not be more grateful.” They went on to say, “The beautiful bouquet
and the attention to details from the ladies on staff, will forever be
reflected in our photographs and memories.” Was there a point? Certainly. Then
came Saturday and our hearts broke when news came that our friend and Pastor, Jeff Rollins had been killed in a car accident.
The events of the days following were accomplished
by these people and others while enduring broken hearts. We hosted the largest
number of people (quite possibly 1000 for the funeral) flawlessly with little
to no advanced planning all the while grieving. The folks who are here day
after day, your staff, are exceptional. God has put them here for such a time
as this.
God is in control even when you don’t know it.
In HIS Service and Yours
BroG
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