A Prayer for my Son on his wedding day

A Prayer for my Son on his wedding day:

“Your eyes are so big and bright my son
I can see you smile with your eyes…”

These are the opening words of the song I wrote for you,
   the song that sprung from joyous birth
   the song I sang over you with delight.

I named you with an ancient name,
   as an ever-giving gift;
   I named you for who you are to me.

On your wedding day you are being given;
   For you are the present for this person whom you love,
   this person I can’t help but love as well.

You are the prize – the award – the benefit,
   And somehow we all are the beneficiaries;
   All this from a generous benefactor.

Now may your marriage be an offering to each other,
   May you help each other discover and re-discover
   the mystery of your worth to the One who made you for Himself.

May you be fruitful in family and friends;
May your influence be restorative and healing;
May you be an endowment to the generations.

And with a nod to T.S. Eliot:

… At the end of all your exploring
may you arrive where you started
And know the place for the first time.

Through the unknown, unremembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;
At the source of the longest river
The voice of the hidden waterfall
And the children in the apple-tree

Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, in the stillness
Between two waves of the sea.

And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well
In Jesus’ presence and care. Amen.

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