The Wonder of It All

It is hard to understand sometimes why you are in certain places. At least that is my experience at times. I know one thing that God has a plan for me over all these years.

It is a “Wow Factor” again for me.

About nine months ago I received a call from a young lady that lives in the Northeastern USA. She was looking for a pastor to perform her marriage. The question was if I was willing and if I was available for the date of September 9, 2006 to officiate at their ceremony.

Now I should explain that the couple is not part of “my denomination”. They come from a strong traditional church background – but as the bride to be explained they didn’t particularly have a strong church experience.

So how they were able to get my name and number out of how many other ministers in the area – I don’t know? Within our city I believe that there are well over 100 pastors and ministers that could have done this task, let alone the area where they were to be married. Only God knows why and how it all happened – I have not yet figured it out – other than He wanted me there for this occasion.

These are divine appointments I believe. An appointment that is so special and so intricate that only God himself could arrange them.

The Setting
For the people in the Peterborough area they will be more familiar with the Viamede Resort, on Stoney Lake, where the Stoney Lake Cruise originates. This beautiful Resort is the place that this wonderful wedding was planned for… to be conducted down by the water’s edge in an almost idyllic setting.

Rehearsal was held on Friday at 10:30 AM at the water’s edge under the classic arbour built for wedding parties and ceremonies. The clouds were possibly rolling in for rain later in the afternoon. The bride had been checking the weather reports for the next ten days – for the past ten days. There was a concern.

As we stood at the side of the lake and under the arbours I told them that I would pray for God to bless us and give us a clear sky for the Saturday evening.

Friday and Saturday’s events
By the time we returned to the city on Friday afternoon the clouds were big and rolling in fast. Within a few hours there was lightening and thunder that kept us guessing for a few more hours. I prayed during the storm that God would carry us through and make this wedding go smoothly.

Little did I know what was taking place back at the Resort where the wedding was to be conducted. It was not so peaceful and not so easy for these folk.

Lightening struck a major power supply in the region to the south of the Resort and blew a large transformer out of service. That was at about 2:00 PM.

All of the guests were from the USA. All were staying in the quaint and rustic cottages of the Resort – but now without power the cottages became rustic. Believe me, at the wedding, guests wanted to talk weather and the events of the day before.

Where do you shave and how do you shave in the dark? How do you do your hair and prepare with your royal regalia for a wedding – whether you are a Bride of a great auntie? How do you remain cool in the middle of a storm and the hours that follow the storm – when there is no power?

When my wife and I arrived for the 5:30 PM ceremony the guests were all talking of the events of the day before. One lady in her frustration described the setting for her husband and herself… and then said… “But we are clean!” The bride’s father described how he helped his daughter by going across the lake and renting five cottages at another resort. He told me that during the Saturday morning and early afternoon they had switched the wedding from the water’s edge to the small wooden church and then back to the water’s edge – three times. Frustration had been great for a few hours to say the least.

Now what I haven’t shared is the Resort has its own hostess who helps with weddings and their coordination. All things were to run smoothly but they had not. The strain of the day was telling as I spoke with her. She described what our electric company(Ontario Hydro) had told her… something about a transformer coming from either the USA or Montreal and that the repairs would be completed 5 hours after the transformer arrived.

As my wife and I walked to the arbour area to prepare for the ceremony, sounds of gas powered generators welcomed all the guests.

As we looked on the clouds that had been there for the past few days began to withdraw. The sun came out and the lake was calm and perfect again after the storm.

As I prayed at the beginning of the wedding I thanked God for clearing the sky and providing sunshine. There was an audible giggle from the Bride and Groom as they listened to the prayer… and I think God was smiling as well.

Now one more thing to share, the reception was being held on site at the Resort as well. How do you cook a meal for these guests and then how do you possibly enjoy eating that meal when it is black inside the building that you are to be in?

Just as we were pronouncing the benediction and announcing the bride and groom the electricity came on. The work on a transformer many miles away was complete.

It was a wonderful evening together. I won’t forget this wedding – ever!

By the way I didn’t tell all of you… this special day was Alida and my 39th Anniversary. What away to celebrate! Wow!

On the Side…
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Liam and Elizabeth Fallon – may God’s hand continue to push back the clouds from your lives. May his big hand of blessing be richly upon what you do in these years to come. As I promised you in the ceremony – I will pray for you until I am finished praying.

Part of the prayer I prayed for you…

• Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other.
• Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
• Now there is no more loneliness for you, for each of you will be companion to the other.
• Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
• The hand that you offer each other is an extension of yourselves, just as the warmth and love which you express to each other.
• Cherish the touch, for you are touching another life. Be sensitive to its pulse, and try to understand and respect its flow and rhythm, just as you would your own.
• Enter now into the days of your togetherness, and may they be good and long upon this earth.

May God bless you!

Your friend,
Pastor Murray Lincoln