The Best is Yet To Be

Readings for the Wedding of Micah Preston Brown and Hannah Jean Hogan

Tobit 8:5b – 8

1 Corinthians 13:1 – 13

Matthew 7:21, 24 – 29

This sermon was preached at the Wedding of Micah and Hannah on Saturday September 21, 2024 at Heavenly Rooted Estate in McKinleyville CA

These powerful readings from the sacred Scriptures were chosen by Hannah and Micah, whom I had the joy of getting to know over the last few months as we prepared this ceremony together. The first reading from the book of Tobit recounts a prayer asking God that the newly married couple grow old together, a prayer that inspired English poet Robert Browning and then later John Lennon and others who sang, “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.” I trust that this young couple, Micah and Hannah, will have the joy of growing old together; and as beautiful as today is, I trust that, for them, the best is yet to be.

The classic reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that “love is patient and 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.

            This loving kindness has served as the foundation for your friendship; and it will serve as the rock-solid foundation for your marriage. Your friendship began to grow into something beyond playful flirting and bags of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos when Micah responded with loving kindness and care to Hannah’s request for prayers online for her father after a serious accident. Your love for each other and your prayerful trust in the heavenly source of all love will continue to serve as your strong foundation as you grow together side by side, much like those two ducks that swam alongside each other on Lake Selmac that day Micah proposed. And the love and blessings you receive today from your family and friends will reinforce this strong foundation of love. In a few moments, as Micah and Hannah read the vows they have written, their rings will be blessed by each member of the wedding party and the family in the front row. During this time, I invite you all to shower Micah and Hannah with your love and prayers and affection and best wishes and grace.

            The last reading from the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that when the storms of life inevitably come, your marriage will not fall but will stand tall because, as Jesus said, it has been founded on the rock, that is the rock of lovingkindness. With this as your rock-solid foundation, you two will grow into the full maturity of Christ together. Indeed, with this as your foundation and with yourselves both rooted in heavenly love, I trust that indeed the best is yet to be. Amen.