In two days I will once again have the privilege of entrusting one of my daughters to a young man in marriage. I realize how old-fashioned that language sounds but it does indeed accurately communicate what has been planned and what we anticipate experiencing at the wedding. At least in part. Grace is my fifth child and fourth daughter. Two of her sisters have already walked this path so we all have a little better understanding of what to expect than we did when the first wedding took place.

Still, I find myself experiencing a wide range of emotions as the wedding day draws near. Grace and I watched the “Father of the Bride” movie earlier this week. It was good for a few laughs and a few “feels.” One scene, however, perfectly captured the way I have found myself feeling on various occasions leading up to this wonderful event. When the daughter first tells her dad, played by Steve Martin, that she is engaged the scene shifts to show how he processes the information.

I can totally relate!

Our family has been richly blessed by the two men who have married Grace’s sisters. Both Ricky and Brad are godly, hardworking, loving husbands and fathers. God’s lovingkindness has been manifested in those marriages in wonderful ways. I am confident that He will likewise bless Grace and Kerry as they establish a new home under the lordship of Jesus Christ on Saturday.

Along with the privilege of entrusting Grace to Kerry I also have the honor and responsibility to preach and officiate the wedding ceremony. They have specifically requested that the gospel be made plain and that Christ be the focal point of the service. That’s a request that, by God’s grace, I intend to grant.

If God brings it to mind please pray for Kerry and Grace as they enter into the covenant of marriage and pray that the wedding will be honoring to our Lord and a display of God’s grace in the gospel.