On September 24th, 2016, my only daughter Rachel got married. Her new husband Michael and she were beaming as they exchanged vows and then walked happily down the church aisle to the strains of “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”. It was indeed a day of great joy.
Witnessing two people blend their lives together as one is moving. All promises made to myself that I would not become emotional failed as they lovingly slipped rings onto each other’s fingers and engaged in ritual signs and words of love and fidelity. It was a day of new beginnings and a display before God and family that their hearts were given to one another filled with hope and commitment for the future.
The scripture is immersed with much nuptial imagery. Beginning with the Wedding at Cana, Jesus displays that great things can happen when the divine and the earthly mix. His powerful exchange in prayer with God turned something that was incomplete into an overflowing fullness of continued abundance and joy. The miracle happened when God blended with the ordinary events of life.
Jesus did this at his mother’s request to keep the wedding alive and filled with spirit. We need to keep the Spirit alive within us and weddings are a sign that that the power of love and a divine connection can produce the miracle of new beginnings and opportunity.
Keep The Spirit alive in you. Remember a special time(s) when you experienced abundant love from others or in the world around you. Cling to those memories knowing that they were graced moments that were meant to draw you towards something greater than yourself. Keep them for yourself on the days when the spirit is depleted and use them to connect with the One who can truly change water into the wine of celebration!
Blessings to you, Rachel and Michael, for a long and Spirit-filled life with many new opportunities for gracious gifts from God and much love from those around you who are happy to be included in your circle of love.
Jim Dunn
Blessèd Blending
October 7, 2016