February 8, 2015

A few weeks ago a young Chinese couple came to see me and asked if I would do their wedding. As NDSU students, they knew that I had married other Chinese couples and asked me to do their wedding, planned to be in just two weeks. Although I was complimented by their request I cringed a bit inside. Back in 1977, I made a personal rule that I would not marry anyone unless they did some kind of marriage preparation. There have been a few exceptions to that rule and as I talked to them, I felt that this was one of those times.

First of all, Dalu and Cuiyuan had no way of knowing about things like marriage preparation. They have friends at the F-M Chinese Christian church, but they do not regularly attend.

Secondly, Cuiyuan’s parents were going to be here (coming from China) on the weekend planned for their wedding. Those kinds of plans are not easy to change.

Third, they were willing to do marriage “preparation” with me after their wedding. Not the best plan since the motivation to work hard at marriage preparation is much less after the wedding, but I have done that before.

In the end as I talked to them, I decided to say yes to officiating their wedding.

Their original plan was to have their wedding at Dalu’s NDSU apartment. But, as they invited their friends to come, they discovered that the apartment would be too small. In the end, I offered them the use of our church building and they decided to use the fellowship hall. So today Dalu and Cuiyuan will set up our fellowship hall for their wedding at 2:00. They will probably be setting things up as our worship service ends this morning.

As we gather today and as you think about this wedding, please pray for Dalu and Cuiyuan and their family and friends as they come. Pray that they will find Jesus and one day put their lives in His hands. Pray that as I share some of the meaning of marriage from the Bible, that it will touch their hearts and have the ring of authority that can come only from biblical truth. Pray also that as we do marriage preparation, after their wedding, that it will equip them for a healthier marriage and give us an opportunity to talk more about the important spiritual side of life.

Throughout my ministry God has used me as I have helped couples with their wedding and their marriage. It is a special opportunity for ministry that few can have. It is my prayer that I will be sensitive to the Lord’s leading and the needs of Dalu and Cuiyuan as we share this special time in their lives.

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett