The Ring Bearer

Last December at a family Christmas gathering, Alan's cousin Bryan announced that he and his lovely fiancee Betty were engaged. They asked Jonathan if he would be their ring bearer. He was not sure he was up for the task, but we encouraged him to accept the honor.

Over the months Jonathan went through a mixture of emotions and misgivings about the rite of passage.

Eight months ago: "I don't know if I want to be a ring bearer."

Six months ago: "Why does a wedding have to have a ring bearer?"

Four months ago: "What if I drop the pillow?"

Two months ago: "Will I have to talk?"

One month ago: "Will everyone be looking at me?"

Two weeks ago: "Why do I have to wear a tuxedo?"

The night before: "Dear Lord, please help me to remember what I'm supposed to do."

Yesterday was The Big Day. We got up early and by God's grace were able to get showered, dressed, out of the house and to the hotel in record time.

There were some pre-wedding jitters yet Jonathan seemed happy to be a part of the wedding joviality. He beamed every time someone told him how handsome he looked in his tux.


Can this really be my little boy?

The big moment arrived amidst familiar strains of music. Jonathan needn't have worried. He rose to the occasion and was one of the finest ring bearers we've ever seen. :-)


Patient: Waiting for the bridal procession.


Contemplative: Hmmm....I might have to get married one day.

(The bride's veil kept fluttering in the wind..so lovely!)


Cheerful: This is not as bad as I thought.


Relieved: Whew, it's over! I did it!

Later that night, as we reflected on the beauty of the entire day, I asked Jonathan what was his favorite part of the wedding. To my surprise, he replied, "I liked being the ring bearer." I asked him why.

"I felt very special."

"Yes, it was very special to be the ring bearer."

At that moment, his face radiated with such warmth and joy and delight that I wish I could have bottled it up to save it for a rainy day.

Then when he was grown up and no longer living at home, I could take out the elixir every now and then and savor the memory of the day I saw a glimpse of the heart of my boy on the verge of turning into a man.

"My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice..." Proverbs 23:15