Wedding Day

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a local wedding. Everyone wears their very best, trying to outdo everyone but the bride. The celebration is almost completely women. So yes, truly fashion is a competition between women, men are not really a factor.

I wore my newest outfit, my homage to Mardi Gras. I drove over to the wedding, so I would not mess up my shoes. I was not sure where to go to greet first, so I was thrilled to see Jennifer's sister sitting at the edge of the group. She and Jamie took me in to greet and then found a place for me to sit.

The women sat in a large circle with the giant speakers to one side. The bride makes her appearance with her closest friends attending her. The bride goes around the circle greeting every one in attendance.

Rather than serve the dinner in bowls for everyone to share, at this wedding, they put individual servings of the food into foil boxes to send home with everyone. This was a new experience for me, but it was not the greatest observation I made.

After I arrived and was seated, despite the fact that music was playing, almost no one was dancing. One or two of the ladies serving as hostesses would dance as they went about their serving, but still it was not much. Then a lady walked into the group that did not look like she belonged. She did not seem to know anyone and was not taken in to greet like I was. While all the other women dressed in their finest, this woman was dressed in rags. I am not even sure if she was wearing shoes at all. No one told her to leave but she was obviously not welcomed either. It reminded me of a certain story.

Jesus taught what the kingdom of God was like in Matthew 22. A king invited all to his son's wedding feast. None that were invited came. So the man told his servants to go invite anyone they found on the road. The wedding hall was filled. However one that came in was not dressed properly. The king addressed the man improperly dressed, for "many are called but few are chosen."

Once again, life here makes the Bible come to life so much more. Will we be ready when the time comes? Will those on the highways of life around us be ready?