Few and Far Between

Last week, one of my closest friends, who also happens to be my bride’s cousin, let’s call him Doug, he and I were going to dinner and as we were catching up over the last few days, he says to me, “Why are moments we cherish, those rare moments of happiness, of joy, filled with peace, over the span of a life, why are they so far and few between?”

My mind has dwelled on that thought since.

I tend to be more serious minded these days. As life speeds along there are such weighty matters to consider. However, for a moment I would like to put them aside for a moment that was few and far between.

Two nights ago one of the pastors, Brady Howard, of the church where we are members asked my oldest daughter, Savannah Hembree, to join him as a life partner in marriage. It’s a beautiful story of how it all came together but I will leave that for Brady to tell.

My perspective on the event is this. Monday evening, a large group of family and friends had joined together at our home to celebrate the engagement with the couple. As they arrived, there were tears, cheers and excitement for the future.

Before partaking in the food, a thought came to me. I said a few words regarding the occasion and then asked the three grandfathers to lead the group in a prayer for the gathering, for the newly engaged couple and for their life and ministry together.

Typically I would be emotional regarding something so special. However, as the three prayers were offered, I listened.

I listened to words of blessing, of safety of union. I listened to the tearful snifffuls around the room. I watched as a circle was formed and hands were joined together in solidarity of purpose. I felt two families and friends become one…because of one question…”will you marry me?”

My mind drifted for a moment as the three prayers continued and I thought of the troubles and challenges in my life, of this of that, and then as I became again focused on the present event, I thought, this is one of those few and far between moments, where God is present, love is overflowing and peace was in our midst.

And I held on to that moment tightly. And as the final prayer was completed with an “amen”, I looked up and thought, “this is right, this is where I should be, doing what I should be doing and all things are right in heaven and on earth…and I am watching God join two lives together at this moment. It just feels right.”

And I pray that the moment become a strong memory to be relived in my mind many times overs.

And I pray for this newly engaged couple to find many moments like this through their lives together, but…

…not so few and far between.

JHH