Bailey and Kyle
Two months ago, my son (a.k.a., @cliffjennings) married a wonderful answer to prayer named Amanda (@amandadrew). They are having so much fun being married. It’s fun to watch and laugh at them. I think they should have a camera crew follow them. It would be a hit reality TV show.
Two weeks later my daughter (@bailsofjoy) graduated from college. Last Saturday, @bailsofjoy married @kylewilkinson – another answer to prayer.
It’s been quite a memorable two months.
Bailey and Kyle were engaged last August so we had been anticipating June 30 for 10 months. Cliff and Amanda worked faster. They were engaged in November and were married on April 27.
Obviously, the wife and I have had a lot on our minds lately. Not to mention that my day job as Associate Pastor at TrueNorth Church has not eased up because God continues to bless us in unimaginable ways by bringing more and more people to our incredible ministry. Our multi-million dollar building project is gaining momentum and – wouldn’t you know it – it all came down last week with some big meetings just days before I married my baby girl.
Then I got sick.
It started off as just a sore throat. It ended up being some kind of sinus-infection-bronchial-somebody-stuck-a-knife-in-my-throat crud.
Great timing.
I sincerely fussed at God for his insensitivity to my important family schedule. Seriously. I was mad at him. Why of all the weekends in my lifetime do I have to get sick on the weekend when I have to give my daughter away in marriage AND perform the ceremony too? I just didn’t get it.
Last June, Beth and I were in SE Asia. I was sick to my stomach on the first night of our trip. It was around 11:30 PM and you don’t want to go to the doctor at any time in the city where we were staying. I knew it wouldn’t be good to start the week off sick so Beth prayed. She prayed one of the boldest prayers I’ve ever heard her pray. My wife is a good prayer. Laying her hands on my stomach, she pretty much prayed my sickness away. As she prayed, I felt a warmth briefly cover my body and before she got to “in Jesus’ name” my illness was gone.
I was healed.
Surely God would heal me at a critical time like my daughter’s wedding but he didn’t. I don’t know why. Lord, what are you doing? I thought.
I was sleep-deprived and miserable for much of the weekend but I made the best of it. I was able to do what I needed to do to get Bailey and Kyle hitched. My voice barely made it through the service but it was enough to lead us through a beautiful wedding ceremony.
It was a great night in spite of my illness. Today, the latest newlyweds in the family flew to Jamaica for a week in paradise.
As for me and my illness, Sunday morning was rough. But I’m back among the living tonight. My bride and I actually went out this afternoon to run some errands and just mess around. It’s good to feel human again.
I felt like a zombie at times over the weekend but it’s all good. Everything else went perfect!
I thought about creating a bullet pointed list here stating why God didn’t heal me this weekend but I’ve decided not to try to figure it out just yet. I’m just glad we had a good weekend and I look forward to seeing what God does with our expanded family.
You may remember my post last August called 12 Creative Ways to Pay for a Wedding. Well, it’s paid for. We went over budget but we got it done. I may post something later with more details on how we did it. (And I didn’t know about Cliff’s wedding at the time!) I need to be clear though. We couldn’t have done it without help from family, friends, and especially Kyle’s family. Plus, my wonderful daughter did a lot of things on the cheap thanks to Pinterest.
More on that later…
Thanks for reading!
Glad to hear your feeling better. At or during the wedding, I just thought you were emotional, not sick. Maybe that was a good thing. Its hard going thru 2 weddings back to back. So, I have notified Joshua its his turn now. Guess what, we can do it again. Blessings to you.
Thanks Cheryl!
Gene-o!
Your babies are all grower up! Bailey looks so much like Beth! what a whirlwind Summer. Kelly and I are excited for you all and pray God’s rich blessings on these new marriages that they will preach the gospel to all those who see them.
Be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, even over your health. No-one needs to remind you of Rom 8:28, but I’ve found tham many times, in my weakness- I’m forced to consider and lean on our Lord more. In some ways you may have found how he captured your attention and helped you look very objectively, biblically focused at both of your children’s marriages when had everything been hunky-dory one may have easily caught up in the racing by of the events. I only speculate- and without much weight. But at any rate- we are excited for you both and praise Him for his goodness in sending Kelly and I godly men and women in our lives as a young couple like you and Beth and Dave and Shirley Willard. God bless. (just wish I had some more timely words for you guys-haha!)
-Josh Vess
Thanks Josh! Great to hear from you. Glad y’all are doing good!
Dear Beth and Gene,
Just wanted you to know I thought everything about the wedding was perfect. Bailey and Kyle seem like a very special couple. I felt so much love through the entire service. Gene, you did a beautiful job. Ragan
and I had a wonderful time.
Hope to see you all when Mary and Dave get back to SC
Love,
Aunt Dot
Thanks Aunt Dot! Love you too!