This homily was preached at the Wedding of Natalie and Chance at the Julia Morgan Redwood Grove on Saturday August 24, 2024 by Fr. Daniel London at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA.
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Love is patient, love is kind.
According to psychologist and marriage guru John Gottman, the number one predictor for a successful marriage is kindness: a generous kindness that “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres,” and always looks for things to appreciate in their partner, always finds reasons to say, “thank you” to each other. You can never say, “Thank you,” enough to each other.
The number one predictor for an unsuccessful marriage is contempt: a contempt that is easily angered and that keeps record of wrongs and is always looking for a partner’s mistakes.
I have had the joy and privilege of getting to know Chance and Natalie over the last several months and I have witnessed their kindness and their generosity and their playfulness. And I believe that their love will continue to grow with kindness and patience along with a deeper rejoicing in the truth of each other and an appreciation of each other’s beauty and gratitude for the God who brought them together, and, as a result, their love will never fail.
All of you who have already promised to uphold these two in their marriage, I now invite you to join me in bearing witness to Chance and Natalie as they perform the sacrament of marriage by giving themselves to each other by solemn vows. As they do so, I invite you to shower them with your love and prayers and affection and best wishes and grace.
DANIEL DeFOREST LONDON 