a wedding sermon

for katie & scott

Well, here you are. You’ve practically made it.

Well done.

Not to jump the gun or anything, but please allow me to give you two your first wedding gift. (Give magnets)

Hold them up, show everyone.

Can you tell what this wonderful gift is?

They’re magnets. Precious magnets, don’t lose them. I hope getting this marvelous gift first doesn’t make all the other gifts you’ll get pale in comparison…

Now, do you have any idea why I choose that gift for the two of you?

Well, aside from how marvelous these magnets are; I chose them because in magnets ‘opposites attract.’

Let’s give it a try.

Opposites attract! Just like the two of you.

As we got to know each other, a theme that kept reoccurring is how different the two of you can be. For instance, Katie you’re very detail oriented. Scott, isn’t like that, though, is he? And Scott, well, you’re a little closed-lipped, aren’t you? And Katie, well she isn’t. 

The thing, though, is that you’re difference, rather than creating friction, endear you to one another. Opposites attract! 

In fact, I’d even go so far as to say that your differences make you stronger.

Let me say a little more, Katie, as wonderful as your ability to consider every detail can be, sometimes it isn’t helpful, is it? In fact, sometimes, as you’re trying to take care of every dot and tiddle, you stress yourself out. That’s when Scott’s go with the flow approach can help you keep everything in perspective.

And Scott, being a man of a few words can serve you well. Don’t worry about all that other stuff, and just get the job done. There’s times, though, when you need to talk. For instance, when something is bothering you. Having Katie there, promoting -or maybe prodding- you to talk about what’s bothering you is good. It will serve you well, not only in this relationship, but in life and work.

You’re differences, rather than pushing the two of your apart, drew you to one another; strengthened your relationship.

Just like those wonderful, wonderful magnets I gave you. Let’s give them a try again.

Do you know how that is, why the opposite pole of magnets attract to one another?

neither do I.

I tried looking it up on wikipedia, and I just got more confused. The truth, though, is that someone could explain the basic concepts, the how - it doesn’t explain the why. Why do magnets have two opposite poles, why do the opposite poles attract?

Well, that question is the larger question, one none of us are able to explain totally. The closest we could come would simply be to say, that’s the way it is. Or, in Christian terms, it would be to say, ‘because that’s how God said it would be.’ 

It might be an easy answer, but sometimes it is the most honest. 

For instance, can the two of you explain why your differences attract you to one another, why those differences strengthen the two of you? After all, I am sure you know folks you have a lot in common with and that’s what you like about the person. And on the other hand, I’m sure you know folks who are different than you, and that’s what drives you nuts about the person.

Why is it, Katie, that you’re attracted to Scott?

Why is it, Scott, that this person who can be so different from you, has caused you to fall in love?

You might be able to explain the how, but you can’t explain the why, can you? That’s why they call in ‘falling in love.’ It just happened to you, and there isn’t a thing you can do about it. That’s just the way it is. Or, to say it in Christian terms, you’re attracted to each other because God has said so. 

God has said that the two of you would be attracted to each other, that your differences would make you stronger. That’s why we’re here today. We’re here because in the middle of your lives, God showed up. God showed up and declared that it wasn’t fit for you to be alone, that you two should have each other. 

That’s why we are here, because the miracle that a man and a woman, with enough differences, would fall in love with each other. So you two, continue to come together, to let your differences attract you to each other, and strengthen one another. Continue to come together because God has worked a miracle in the two of you, and when God says something, it is so. God has said that you to are for one another. So enjoy this miracle of what God has done in your lives, what God has given you. 

The rest of today will just be splendid. I have no doubt about it. The reception will be lovely. You’re be blessed with everyone’s presence, and the gifts they’ve chosen to send you off. Your honeymoon will be perfect, I know it. But you’re here right now because God has given the two of you something much better than any of that, each other.

Amen.