The event is over. The wedding has passed into a reception, then into everyone scattered back to their lives. The weekend clearly shows what happens when Jesus works. We give ourselves to the Saviour, and then scatter into the world to spread Good News.

The wedding of Angela and Ryan is good news. I will be telling everyone I know about it. The wedding and reception turned out wonderfully. And there will be more to come as they live out their lives together.

David and Angela during “I Loved Her First” Sept 29, 2012

But the Good News that God loves us deserves wide broadcast, too. The love of a couple brings joy, and tears, to parents. Their love is great, but the story simply reminds us of the love of Jesus who gave everything so that we could love God back. “No fear exists where his love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love. We love because God loved us first” (1 John 4:18-19 God’s Word).

Yes, I had tears of pride and joy.  I got to tell everyone there how proud we are of our daughter and her service to community and country. I got to tell everyone know how much I like Ryan.

But the tradition of first dances created a problem for Angela. I don’t dance. So what did she do? “I Loved Her First” by Heartland was played, and since I won’t dance, she just sat beside me while the song played. I appreciate that she could honour my choice and still have a special moment in the reception.

How God works to do the same, to spend time and mission with us based on our gifts and heart!

Is there any event that does not lead us to remember Jesus?