School’s out this week, so you probably won’t hear from me until August. Please pray Taylor’s heart procedure goes well on June 18. In July, I’ll have a ‘one-year analysis’ of last summer’s CAR-T cell therapy. Susan and I have a busy summer planned… we always cherish your prayers.
Kinsey, Jordan, Owen, and Keightly flew in to Georgia from Denver last week for a wonderful event. Brian Lee grew up in our neighborhood; he was a 6’5” 280 pound tackle for the Parkview Panthers and about the nicest kid you could ever meet. The Lees are a devout Catholic family and Brian, one of six children, considered becoming a priest as he completed his education.
Kristen, one of Jordan’s fellow residents in Birmingham, is also a strong Catholic. Kinsey suggested to Jordan one day a couple of years ago: “Don’t you think Brian and Kristen would make a fine match?” The wedding took place at St. John Neumann Church this past Saturday morning. Taylor was a groomsman.
Because Kinsey and Jordan played such a role in their story, the couple asked them to walk the Bread and the Wine down the aisle when it was time for Communion. I offered to hold the baby, but Kinsey replied that Brian and Kristen wanted Owen and Keightley to be a part of the ceremony as well.
The priest used an interesting phrase in his message. I’ll paraphrase: ”Kristen and Brian, don’t buy into society’s philosophy of ‘instant perfection.’ Many couples seem shocked and disappointed when the first year of marriage presents challenges and difficulties. You love each other now, but your relationship is just beginning. God has welcomed you to His ‘School of Love.’ Brian, from this day forward, you will be learning to love Kristen as Christ loves the Church. Kristen, from this day forward, you will be learning to love Brian as his wife. Marriage is a calling and a vocation. Listen well to your Teacher in God’s ‘School of Love.’”
School is not a place of perfection… it is a place of growth and learning and understanding. Mistakes are made daily in school, but good teachers let stumbles become stepping stones of progress. The best schools are full of grace and truth and excellent teaching. I think we are all in ‘God’s School of Faith, Hope, and Love.’ May we listen to Christ our Teacher as we follow our Lord.
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.” Mark 6:34
“Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” II John 1:9