I did my first wedding yesterday.

[Brad Mercer]

Yesterday afternoon I officiated for the first time ever at a wedding. The bride first came to our church reluctanctly, with her parents, when she was in high school, maybe four or five years ago. I can't tell you her whole story, but she was sullen, cynical and alienated. She dyed her hair garish colors and dressed all in black, to match her mood and worldview. She essentially defied us to love her. We did, and after a few months, she wrote to us that, although everyone at NewStart talked about love, she thought we were just pretending to love her. She said she finally decided that no one could fake it that well for that long, that we must really love her. She began to open her heart to love and grace and healing, and to a trustworthy God.

It was kind of embarrassing for me when I got choked up during the ceremony yesterday. I've never seen a minister at a wedding do that before.

But I stood there looking at her, all in white to match her spirit, standing beside a good guy who really loves her, and she looked so bright and so happy, and in my mind's eye I couldn't help flashing back and forth between the image of that dark, sullen teen standing there in our foyer a few years ago, and this happy bride standing in front of me with her groom. And I thanked God for the opportunity to weep with her when she wept tears of sadness back there, and the opportunity to weep with her tears of joy yesterday.

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but God has given us some really good yesterdays.

[Hans Deventer]

Thanks for sharing, Brad! I think I can understand the being "choked up". That's okay!

[Sharon Isley]

How awesome! I haven't done many weddings myself, but the first one I did was special too. It was 2 people who had been living together for 11 years, and had gotten saved. What a blessing it was to see their lives change so much!

[Ian Gentles]

Fatastic, absolutly fantastic, we all, me included, need to hear stories like this. Bless you for being God's servant.

[Dennis McClung]

I always cry at weddings. Even weddings on television. I barely made it through my own. Please don't tell anyone.

[Joanne Vergin]

Brad, I know this is old. I am going throught the old stuff. How is the couple today?

[Brad Mercer]

Brad, I know this is old. I am going throught the old stuff. How is the couple today?

They're doing well. They have a beautiful baby boy. I just got an e-mail from the bride the other day. They're still very much in love. They've moved across the metroplex and can't attend NewStart-Frisco anymore, but they visited recently and miss it.

Brad

[Mike Schutz]

It was kind of embarrassing for me when I got choked up during the ceremony yesterday. I've never seen a minister at a wedding do that before.


Congrats, Brad. It's great when you care enough to see the miracle. By the way, I have gotten choked up officiating at least a dozen times. But then, I get choked up at a really good Diet Coke commercial. :basic05

[Brad Mercer]

I have gotten choked up officiating at least a dozen times. But then, I get choked up at a really good Diet Coke commercial. :basic05

Yes, I've come a long way. When I was a teen kids called me Mr. Spock or "The Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes" because I seemed so logical and unemotional. Now I cry at grand openings of supermarkets.

Brad