My Son's Getting Married Today
Posted by James MacDonald on June 29, 2007 03:23 PM | Comments (12)Well, my low weight number for the wedding was 214. I think I am just over that now. So I didn't get as far down as I wanted, but I did lose 21 pounds and that is a lot for me.
I haven't cried, at least not yet, but suffice it to say that my heart is very full! Full of gratitude to God, full of respect for my wife and the way she has been and is tireless in her efforts on behalf of all of our children. Full of respect for Luke and the man he is becoming . . .
Luke is planning to graduate from Moody Bible Institute by the end of this year and is already engaged in full-time ministry with high school students and in leading worship on one of our three church campuses. My mind is reviewing like a highlight reel 21+ years of our lives with our first born. Such fun and full of life, a keen wit and an amazing insight into people and situations. Very sensitive to hypocrisy and form without function. Never boring, never weak or wavering. Always strong and determined, he will go far for God as he remains faithful to the One who has been and will be faithful to him.
My favorite story about Luke goes all the way back to when he was four and causing a stir in our children's church one Sunday morning. A particularly cranky woman was trying without success to get Luke to color inside the lines, (something I have never been good at on paper or in life :)) but somehow Luke just couldn't or wouldn't do it. She pushed him and prodded him but he just kept on scribbling and she began to be exasperated. Finally she announced: "Luke, your father wouldn't like it if he knew you were coloring outside the lines." Luke looked up, (I can imagine with great precision the twinkle in his eye,) and said, "my Dad loves everything I do." Ha ha. While not 100% accurate, time has proven that to be a prophetic word. I do love and thank God for our son and who he is becoming. We could not be more thankful to God for him.
Kathy and I could not be more excited about our new daughter in-law, Kristen. She has loved our son faithfully for more than five years, even during a year when he stepped back to make sure that she was the one. One of my favorite stories about Kristen was during the time after Luke's near-fatal car crash in Sept 2004. He had struck his head very hard on the pavement and broken his neck in three places. He wore a halo for 4 months and during that time felt he needed some time away from their relationship. We were heartbroken, but she waited prayerfully and patiently and never wavered in her belief that they were right for each other. I remember the first time I saw her after the bad news and gave her a hug. She said through sweet tears, "I was hoping that Luke was the one, but I'm trusting God and know that I am going to make someone very happy." It didn't take him very long to figure out how much he risked losing and come running back. We could not agree more; a great girl from a great family; a young woman who loves the Lord with her whole heart. Kristen is all that we have asked God for and more that we were not wise enough to even pray.
It's a big deal to see one of your children graduate from your parental influence and move on into a life of their own. The service and the party to follow will be amazing but lingering just beneath the service is the sadness of knowing something has changed forever. I am sure it will take some time to sink in. I just know this, God has been very gracious in giving us a son and daughter in-law who love Jesus Christ with their entire being and want nothing more than to serve Him and bear fruit in the Kingdom for His glory. 3 John 4 "I have no greater joy than this; that my children are walking in the truth!"
Comments
Posted by: Dave | June 30, 2007 12:21 AM
Congrats Luke! My wife and I just marked our ten year wedding anniversary and we often joke (though we're quite serious about it), that we're "pro-marriage"! God bless you and Kristen as you begin your life together for the Lord!
Posted by: Doc M | June 30, 2007 07:10 AM
To see a couple "do it right" in God is truely an awesome sight! My step-son just got married at the end of May and I can't help but express the same joy as you James at watching a young man grow in God and not forgetting himself by being lost in "the world" or its exspectations. Micheal(step-son) locked in on the idea that he could not marry or date for that matter anyone who wasn't a Christian. By being diligent and strong he stuck to those goals and weeded through several relationships that were not "made with the potters hands". Each relationship proved to be another lesson in life. He met his current bride at church function serving God as she was at the time. God truly provides!! They continued to date, but dated with the hint "This could be the one". Interestingly, the only thing that got in their way was how they could serve God more...together. The rest is history because they both are on fire for God with a direct passion to serve God in any capacity and to reach out to those in their immediate vacinity be it at church, work, Walmart, or the local eatery. I guess my point is that if we as parents stay true to the Word given us, and our instruction stays as true to our children that we should be living, then the Proverb that states, Train up a child in path he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Thankyou for your insite James and enjoy the fruit of you and your wifes labor! LOL
Posted by: Jan | June 30, 2007 10:24 AM
What a privilege to be at the wedding yesterday. Thanks for opening it up to the entire Harvest family. James, you looked very trim and I think you'll have no problem looking at those wedding photos for years to come. :) Jan & Paul
P.S. Kathy looked fabulous, as always!
Posted by: sharon | June 30, 2007 10:26 AM
Never have I met you or your family. Never have I been to Harvest. Yet, I found myself joyful thinking about how you and Kathy were watching your son walk down the aisle. My daughter is Lukes age and you just can't help but remember that very first time you met them....all of 1 second old. Now, getting married. To you Pastor James and Kathy I say thank you. You did not raise up just your own children in Christ. You raised up so many of us and you are raising up my daughter as well.
So, on my knees this morning thanking God for you and Kathy, and Luke, Landon and Abby.
Look how great is our God!
with love and thankfulness
sharon
Posted by: Julie Rowan | June 30, 2007 08:11 PM
Awwww!!!! Kristen's so beautiful in those pics! Pastor James, keep up the wight loss! Your looking good! Abby, Landon and Kathy look amazing! Wish i could have been there. Bet you had a blast. Did you dance with my Mom? She said she was going to try and dance with you. I told her I wanted a picture of it. Kristen's been a really great friend to me and I'm so happy for her and Luke. Julie
Posted by: Tracy | July 2, 2007 02:15 PM
Thank you, Pastor James, for posting some wedding pictures. While I was unable to attend the wedding because I was out of town, I couldn't help but think of Luke and Kristen thoughout the day on 6/29 knowing that it was the first day of the rest of their lives together.
I would like to echo the sentiment in Sharon's blog above: I too am very, very thankful for your ministry. God has given you a tremendous gift to teach The Word. Sometimes your messages feel like a kick in the stomach, but (unfortunately) it's what I need at that moment to get my attention and refocused. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to attend Harvest. Thank you for your leadership and for not compromising. You are a tool that God uses every single day in my life, be it during weekend services at Harvest or driving around listening to Walk in the Word. (There have been many occasions when I've had to go through a drive-thru to get lunch because I didn't want to miss any part of Walk in the Word.) I sincerely thank you for your ministry, Pastor James. You are Loved!
Posted by: Jenny | July 3, 2007 01:57 AM
Kathy seriously looks 20 here. I thought she was a bridesmaid. :) I am so thankful for your ministry and for you sharing your lives with us. I am forever blessed by the discipling I have received from you and I am so happy for your family.
Jenny Williams, Pelham AL
Posted by: Kelly | July 5, 2007 10:35 PM
Wow, as someone's "child" who has been married for 4 years now, this makes me teary-eyed, hoping I've made my parents that proud (I'd like to think so!)
As a mother of 3-soon-to-be-4, I hope my children know that I pretty much "love everything they do."
Thanks for another awesome sharing, Pastor James. We are so happy for your lovely family!
God bless!
Posted by: Anthony | July 6, 2007 10:53 AM
Man and wife,not just united with the bonds of Holy Matrimony,but the blood of our Saviour and LORD "JESUS CHRIST" till death do us part.
Posted by: Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife | July 9, 2007 07:26 PM
First of all, congratulations on this fabulous season in the life of your family. Your pics are stunning and no doubt this was a day that honored the Lord!
Secondly...How do you not have a gillion comments on your blog? Is this thing like a 'Messianic Secret' or something? An "I have a blog, but don't tell anyone about it?" kind of thing? :))
Seriously...I love your radio ministry...I appreciate laughter and practicality with lots of smarts. I am so glad I stumbled into your daily life! I am SO putting you in my blog's sidebar so don't be surprised if a few of the sisterhood start dropping in on you..:))
Blessings on your family and ministry!
Posted by: Amy | July 12, 2007 08:01 AM
Congratulations to Luke and Kristen and to your entire family as you gain a daughter. Thank you so much for sharing your heart regarding this with the rest of us. It is such an encouragement. May God bless their life together.
Posted by: julie | July 13, 2007 01:24 PM
June 29th is a great day for a wedding. My husband and I just celebrated our 22nd on that same day.
Your family is beautiful!