A Babette's Feast Moment

It was a good day.

I would be happy to officiate ten weddings like the wedding I officiated today for every other wedding that is perfectly choreographed and coordinated on other days.

We got started a little late because the bride didn't arrive until ten minutes before the nuptials wearing her veil . . . and a t-shirt and jeans. And the parents of the bride were late. And the groom had some personal matters that kept us from getting into the sanctuary promptly after the mothers were seated. And I forgot to mention "no pictures during the speaking part of the service" making for a paparazzi moment during the vows. And the ceremony lasted all of five minutes - which I'd normally think indicated a lack of theological seriousness.

And yet . . . this was an extraordinary wedding.

Two people were redeemed after some earlier mistakes in life. One hails from the West Coast. The other is originally from South America. Sparks first flew over shared music and appreciation for friendship. And while both appear to traditional church folk as outsiders with their multiple piercings and a "dude" mentality, they are so obviously real and faithful. And today they got married.

And then we celebrated with a breathtakingly delicious meal surrounded by friends and family in a lovely setting on K Street. It's a day like this that makes me so humbled and happy to be a professional minister. And it reminds me that ministry is not about what seems to be true, but what is really true.