Green eyes, and the joy in love
I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. —Isaiah 61:10
I hope Cody, today’s groom, has been called handsome many times in his life—and will be called handsome many more times to come. For those who don’t know this love story, Cody has attended church for years with his girlfriend turned fiancée turned brand new bride, Alyssa, a stunning, strong, visionary, beautiful spirit who has been a part of this historic congregation all of her life.
Cody needs to be called handsome because he is handsome for far more reasons than just being a man, who, when he wears a touch of green (as he did today), shows the world the amazing color in his remarkable green eyes. These eyes are remarkable not because of their color per se; his eyes are remarkable because of the love he pours through them when with his soulmate, lover, teacher and student, Alyssa.
As officiant, I had the best view of today’s wedding. Thin tears covered both the bride’s and the groom’s eyes throughout most of the ceremony. Such sincerity. Such devotion. Such intention. Such love. Such JOY.
This is what the psalmist speaks to when he says he’s overwhelmed with the joy in the LORD his God. If you’d asked either the bride or groom, who have been marrying themselves long before they asked me to preside at their ceremony, they’d speak to this joy. In fact, the couple recited their own vows. Alyssa, who has her feet grounded, mentioned in a single phrase the struggles they’ve experienced. Still, the two stood in love in front of God in the congregation completely committed because they know joy. Specifically, they know the joy of having a God who guides. And this God, as these two have shown us and will show us, guides all of us to love.
PRAYER: God, it is your joy to guide us to love. Help us follow you. Amen.