An Inkling
The Lord
is never without a means of puncturing our pomposity. Pomposity comes easily when wearing a black
robe and playing a central role in a couple’s life defining moment. I was garbed in such a robe when I conducted
a wedding on Memorial Day on a dock at a beautiful lakeside venue.
The
ceremony was due to start at 3:00 PM, but the couple, both Ensigns in the Navy,
realized that 3:00 PM was the time when people across the nation, whether at
ball games or barbecues, would pause for a moment of silence to remember what
Memorial Day is really about. So our
plan was for me to have the people stand at the hour, before the wedding party
entered, and observe that moment of silence. Then we would proceed with the
ceremony.
So at the
stroke of three I walked toward the front, and almost tripped on a step there
on the dock. That was the Lord’s first
poke at my pomposity.
Then came
his second. Just as I was having the
people stand for the moment of silence, a fishing boat about 100 yards up the
shore, started blaring Bruce Springsteen’s Born
in the USA. You know how sound
carries over the water. We heard it as
loud as they played it. We could have
done worse – at least the song's chorus sounds patriotic.
But it was hardly a solemn moment. And actually what was intended to be a moment
became five moments, because there was no way to proceed with the wedding until
Bruce was done singing.
With my
pomposity poked, and with the Lord still laughing, I then did my little part
for the One who actually joined the couple in marriage.
Whether you
ever wear a black robe or not, I bet you have discovered what I have: the Lord
is never without a means to puncture our pomposity!
Blessings,
Keith
