"Her Mother and I." - Enjoying the Journey
“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
I have asked this question as a minister – but today, as a father, I will have to answer it for the first time. It is always different standing on the other side! I have been a little nostalgic and a bit more reflective the last few days. I’m sure there will be a wide range of emotions this afternoon. Tammy and I truly are excited about how God has prepared Morgan and for the man God has prepared for her.
The “giving of the bride” expression has an interesting history in modern times. In reality it was to Adam and Eve that God first said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Why did God say it to Adam and Eve? They had no father or mother! He was teaching them as parents – this is God’s way. Children are supposed to leave and cleave. Like the first parents, our role is simply to get them ready for that day.
Today is that day for us. I only have one job today (besides paying for it!). Morgan asked me months ago what I would like to do on this day. While I would have been honored to perform the ceremony I really just wanted to be her dad today. We are thrilled that her Paw Paw and Isaac’s Paw Paw will officiate. As for me, I only have one line – “Her mother and I.”
It may be harder to say than any sermon I have ever given, but I have been practicing. I have been pondering the question: “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Here are my thoughts…
- God gave her to us. On Thursday, November 4, 1999 Morgan Elyse Pauley was born. It was a very special gift that God gave to “her mother and I.” She is not ours, but simply shared with us by the Heavenly Father.
- We gave her back to God long ago. Tammy and I committed her life to the Lord before she was ever born and we did so again when she came into the world. We solemnly stood before the church and dedicated her, and ourselves, to God. She was given years ago to God and to God’s choice by “her mother and I.”
- Now we are giving her to someone who has given himself to God. It is wonderful when you see the Lord providentially guide two people together. I am thrilled to see the love that Isaac has for Morgan, but I am most encouraged by the love he has for the Lord. Only as a family is given to God can they fully give themselves to one another. The heart they both have to serve Christ is the thing that means the most to “her mother and I.”
- We are not just giving, we are gaining. Today Tammy and I will give our daughter to be married and we will gain another son. “Her mother and I” really don’t feel like we are losing a family member. Instead, God is multiplying the family as He always intended.
We appreciate your prayers for Morgan and Isaac as they begin their journey together, for Isaac’s family, and for us… “Her mother and I.”
