Honor...

I photographed a wedding a few weekends ago for one of my first teenagers in youth ministry. I remember the day I met her...she was a tiny little thing...going into the six grade and when she smiled she had more dimples than I could even count. I love this young girl that has grown up before my eyes. There was a time in her life when she didn't love us so much...we aren't the kind of youth pastor/wife that gives up on kids...and when we wouldn't give up on her, she wrote us a note and told us to get out of her life...yeah that didn't work. My husband married her!!! We laugh about it today...she has always had a special place in my heart...no matter what!!

She looked gorgeous on her wedding day...like Hollywood glamour. My son was her ring bearer and thought he was hot stuff...and well, he was. He looked so stinkin' cute that day in his tux and Chuck Taylors. He loves his "Header" and wanted to be beside her all day.

I was taken pictures of the guys...Charlie, her now husband, is a Marine and was in his dress uniform. I loved the look of it, although I think he was horribly uncomfortable. I took pictures of him and his boys...goofing off...being serious...you know the normal. His grandfather walked up while we were taking pictures and Charlie immediately went to hug him. His grandfather was a very important figure in his life growing up...He was a Marine as well. Charlie asked me to take their picture and as his grandfather slung his arm around, Charlie went to do the same. His grandfather immediately stopped and said something to him along the lines of..."you are in uniform". Charlie dropped his arm and stood at attention for his pictures with him.

Some may say that is silly...it's a picture. I'm not in the military and don't have family presently serving, so I don't know what all the "codes" are...what they go by. But it spoke volumes to me what his grandfather said. It was about respect. Respect for the uniform...for his service...for our country. It was about commitment...to a cause...to a ranking. If only we lived our lives as Christians with such commitment!

During the ceremony my husband said these words as he married Heather and Charlie:

"Charlie, you have a rich family history in learning the importance of serving your country from your Grandfather and you now follow in his footsteps and proudly serve as a Marine today. As a Marine you know those Core values HONOR - Marines are held to the highest standards, ethically and morally. Respect for others is essential. Marines are expected to act responsibly in a manner befitting the title they’ve earned. COURAGE - Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to face fear and overcome it. It is the mental, moral and physical strength ingrained in every Marine. It steadies them in times of stress, carries them through every challenge and aids them in facing new and unknown confrontations. COMMITMENT - Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in every Marine. It is what compels Marines to serve our country and the Corps. Every aspect of life in the Corps shows commitment, from the high standard of excellence to vigilance in training.
These very same principles are scripturally commanded and must be displayed in your marriage daily."

My prayer is that I would live my Christian life with Honor...Courage...Commitment.  That I would have so much respect for the uniform Name that I wear...the name above all names...that I would show Him honor with the way that I carry myself.  That I would show courage as I battle through this life that I live.  That I would show commitment to Him above everything else...and that I would stand at attention at all times...for HIM!

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)