Daniel and Rebekah Lawson
Today my sister-in-law Rebekah married Daniel Lawson, a former Marine she met at church. I officiated the ceremony. Here is some of the message and some pics:
“Genuine love means a willingness to sacrifice. Jesus said: “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). We must choose to set aside our personal rights and privileges for the benefit of the one we love. In that context, Christian marriage becomes a powerful symbol of the selfless love Jesus offers to all people. Marriage can be a beautiful relationship when you are both willing to sacrifice for each other.
Clara, Trevi, Madeline, & Caleb
Rebekah, I have known you since we were 11 years old. I have seen you grow up and mature in your faith. I have also seen firsthand your search for Daniel. You have been looking for a man you could trust and who shared your faith in Jesus and your desire to serve others together. We are glad you have found him. You a wonderful person on your own, and yet somehow with Daniel your strengths seem to have become even stronger and your weaknesses offset by his strengths. He makes you an even better person, and you have made him an even better person as well.
Sisters of the Bride: Lori and Debbie
Daniel, it is good to have another clean shaven man in the family! In getting to know you these past several months, we are grateful to have you joining our family. The challenges of life and your time in the military have prepared you well for this day and for this commitment. The first day I met you, after asking you about your time in the military you shared about being offered a purple heart for the injuries you suffered serving our country. When you mentioned that you turned it down because of people like Ray, a man who lost his arm protecting our freedom, the man who just gave his daughter to you, I knew you had won us over. With the same willingness to sacrifice, you will serve your new bride and your future family well.
As your family and friends, by sitting here today, we commit to pray for you and to always point you back to each other when things get hard. We are here today to support you in the commitment you are making to love each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives….”
