Celebrate the Wedding

As a pastor, I have celebrated many weddings. Each has been a time of joy. And today, I will be watching my oldest son, Jake, marry a wonderful young woman. When this day is over, Stormy Brown will be Stormy Noland, and Jake will be a husband. I have seen this sort of transformation happen many times before, but it is different when you are a dad or a mom. From this perspective, it is rather overwhelming.

I have spent many hours helping young people to appreciate the step they are taking when they come to the altar. I want them to have the kind of marriage that can sustain their love, for I know that human love, no matter how strong, cannot, by itself, sustain a marriage. Too many people think of marriage as if it were only a contract made by two persons for their mutual satisfaction. A true marriage is much more, for it is a union in which two become one. This transformation is a true miracle of God's grace, requiring time, commitment, the support of the community of faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.

I know that I have been transformed in my marriage. It has been a wonderful journey of mutual growth and discovery, for God gave me the right companion.

My prayer is that Stormy and Jake will be as blessed in their life together as I have been in my life with Mary Anne.

— Jim Noland

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist