This week I was honoured to officiate the wedding of a lovely couple. They had plans for a big splashy wedding last year, but alas, Covid. So, like many other couples they were forced to cancel those plans and make new ones.

Over the course of the year, we had been in touch about possible dates and possible new venues but ultimately they decided that what was most important was to be married before God, a few of their closest friends and family and huge contingent on Zoom. We met in a beautiful backyard, respecting all Covid protocols. Tuesday was a very hot, sultry day, but it was wonderful to witness this couple not only pledge their love to one another but commit to loving one another, no matter what!

This December, Brian and I celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. I mentioned that at the ceremony and someone came up to me afterwards and said, “35 years? You must be taking that 1 Corinthians passage seriously!” I smiled at the comment. I don’t know that we’ve done it all right, particularly the love is patient part, but we have committed to loving one another, no matter what! I would like to think we strive for 1 Corinthians 13:13 where it says:

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This is the love we can experience in our relationship with others, and with God. It is also what we experience from God — a love that never gives up and “never fails”! (1Corinthians 13:8). No matter what!

A few months ago our daughter Emily got engaged to the love of her life, Matthew. They have decided that they will pledge themselves to one another before God, their family and friends. Given the unpredictability of Covid it too will be a small and intimate affair but they look forward to the day that they too will vow to love one another, no matter what! They will vow to weather the tough storms together and together rejoice in the sun.

It is my prayer for Emily and Matthew, for Brian and me, for the newlyweds and all those in relationships, that we may remember that God loved us first, God never gives up and God’s love never fails.

God taught us not only what love looks like but what it means to truly love someone. May we express that same unfailing love to those who love us.