So...this morning...all the children quickly dressed and were out the door for church....even our elusive older girls! I was surprised...as I heard them prepping upstairs. They did take a little longer than I wanted as everyone else was outside in the van. So...I went to hurry them along and I heard them talking to each other around the corner..."Just hurry past her and she won't notice!" Of course, that made me wonder what they were doing...were they wearing something that I would not like...what were they hiding? But, when they came downstairs...they looked very nice! So, I asked what they were hiding and they said...nothing as they hurried past and out tee door!
Michael and I had the joy of reading from Scripture today for Mass. I always love this experience...every time! It is such a joy to speak the Word to others and hope that it some how reaches those who need to hear it most as the Spirit moves through us. Today I read from Colossians 1:24-28...one of my favorite verses..."Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church,
of which I am a minister..."
Then the priest read from the story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) which was about discerning the difference between stewardship and adoration. I will tell you that I struggle with this when I hear it...every time! So, I was glad to hear the deacon speak about how Martha...not because she was over working but because she was to balance both aspects. I think it really is good for me to remember that there needs to be balance...one is not better but there is a place for both in time. Why is it so hard? It seems to me when it is presented in this light...whenever in doubt...always go for the adoration! But what about the idea of loving our neighbor...being the hands and feet of God?...there are times when stewardship...hospitality...does show love of neighbor. More to think about as I always say when this passage comes to mind!
So...after that amazing and needed message...Mass was so special and I felt so blessed to have my family there. I thought...wow...I would love to have a picture of this moment in time. I asked one of the boys if we had the camera...and wouldn't you know he had the camera! AND...the children were all there waiting in the pew...as if they knew I was going to ask for a picture! hmmmmm...
After the picture was taken...I started to head outside...I wanted to talk to Deacon Billy and his wife, Dianna...BUT...Michael turned to me and says..."Remember what I asked you under the tree last week?"..."Yes...?" "Well...I am asking again right now!" Awww...he was asking me to marry him again! Of course...I said yes and I looked up and there were the children...the priest...Deacon Billy and Dianna...ready for us at the altar! Good thing I said yes...<<WINK...WINK>>
SO...we renewed our wedding vows...and this is where the renewal comes into the story...not just renewing the vows...although very important...but there was more...
You see...twenty years ago...I bought our wedding bands. Now in today's world...many would say that is not a big deal...but to me that is something that the groom does...and it bothered me that it was not a big deal to him. It has come up many times over the years...I tried not to make a big deal about it but it was a big deal.
Then about ten years ago, we began to talk about buying new rings. I would hint at this and he would talk about wanting to do it. BUT....he never did anything about it. SO...I had pretty much given up on this possibility. However, it was getting harder not to notice...even for others...as I was no longer able to wear the old ring...it was bent and worn...it was not the most expensive ring out there...and he actually told me that his ring (he had been placing it on his dog tags) was lost.
We had this conversation the day before...it was something I brought up...we were going somewhere...I tried on my ring...and once again I was not able to wear it. I mentioned this to him...I wish he had bought us rings....I turned to the girls and told them why it was so important to me that Michael find the rings this time. They all listened and said nothing...even though Michael had purchased our renewal rings several days before. The girls were the ones to hold on to the rings (the reason they were hiding something earlier in the morning!) and passed the rings to the priest during the ceremony. In fact, everyone knew about the plan EXCEPT me! I was so surprised! He bought the rings...he set p a plan of action...and kept the surprise! Pretty amazing!
Thank you, Michael! I love you! And although the rings do not make our marriage...the rings are the icing on the cake for this renewal! And it was pretty special even without them! I feel truly blessed!
No comments:
Post a Comment