Walking Into Mystery

I thought his actions would earn him the title of the most hated man at church. Not that everyone would feel that way, only half; the half that are males. The brazenness of some individuals to leave behind convention and generalizations to set their own standards of behavior is alarming! This individual took it upon himself to initiate an assembly of almost one hundred people and convince them to give up several hours of their Saturday to meet at the church, even though they would be there again the next day! However, not everyone got the opportunity to decide if they would attend this clandestine meeting. One was brought totally uninformed; in fact, a small conspiracy went so far as to sequester and blindfold the dupe so that there would be no hint of detection. The assembly was prepared to begin when the unknowing participant was brought into the interior hallway. Music was the only sensory cue until the blindfold was lifted. Eyes were barely able to register the environment when new items were thrust forward – something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. The enormity of the planning was realized as she looked down the aisle to find her husband of twenty-five years waiting for her with a robed pastor, a sanctuary filled with family and friends, and a flower girl waiting to start the march. On a wing and a prayer, her husband had successfully planned a service to renew their vows. It’s hard to know if the most astonishing fact was that the whole planning process was done in two weeks or that the secret was kept! She took a moment to adjust her hair and then eagerly stood at the head of the aisle ready to affirm that this was indeed the one with whom she wanted to share her life. It’s hard to say who was the most pleased – the groom, the bride, the pastor or the assembled. “You Are My Sunshine” was played on the piano after their vows were renewed, and spontaneously the song became a congregational chorus instead of the instrumental planned.

So why did I assume that his name would be mud? I thought the wives would start elbowing their husbands asking “Why don’t you do something like that?” Oddly, the women were strangely quiet. While the romance meter definitely scored a 10, the idea of being surprised in front of others, not being able to choose attire, and feeling out of control led wives to issue warnings of harm if the same thing were enacted instead of scolding the spouse for not thinking of the idea first!

My prayer for the congregation?

Impetuous, Wonderful God, you delight in showering the unexpected! You eagerly wait to show off the care and planning afforded to our acceptance, and ensure our shared endeavors will have Holy support. Still, we venture to suggest our preferences and requirements, and hope that our plans conveniently align with the All Mighty. Help us adapt our mindset so that we become more accessible to your proposals of adventure, mission, tasks and blessings. Let us renew and recommit our lives to your eternal covenant and thereafter bask in exuberant grace. It’s hard to say who will be the most pleased – the giver, the receiver, our neighbors, our world.