Mother of Groom Speech

Well, it was a moment that had absorbed me for weeks before it happened. Like Mary, I pondered in my heart and looked back at the birthday tributes I had done for you, my firstborn, Nathan, for many years. At the wedding, as the moment approached, I was almost paralyzed with nervousness. However when the moment finally arrived, all nervousness quickly dispelled as I spoke from my heart to you and your new bride, my new daughter-in-love, Sarah.
I post this today for you both as a remembrance:

August 24, 2019 - Nathan and Sarah💖💞

Mother of Groom Speech

I remember calling my parents when I found out I was pregnant to let them know and bawling my eyes out. Unfortunately, it was not from joy, but sheer terror for this bookworm who never dreamt of motherhood. Fortunately for me, God was forming a baby in my womb who would be a classic text book baby in his development and behavior, because yes, I had to look at books to know what to expect and do. God knew what I needed, and He gave me you.

Mike and I prayed and pondered over your name and God gave us “Nathan”.

Nathan is the name your Dad and I chose very carefully. We wanted your name to represent 'you' in biblical tradition. Taken from the name of the prophet Nathan, advisor to King David, it meant "gift from God."

...gift from God...

In Hebrew, it literally means "he gave."

Heavens Cross Ministries gives an insightful look into Nathan:

Nathan, the prophet, lived up to his name, "He[God] has given." Nathan was a necessary and helpful gift from God to David. He served as God's spokesman to David and proved himself a fearless friend and counselor, always willing to speak the truth, even when he knew great pain would result.

You are indeed a gift from God to all who know you, a necessary and helpful gift from God to us, your family, and now to Sarah, your wife. You are fearless in trying new things. In your vulnerable writing I have seen you be God’s spokesman, speaking truth. You are a loyal friend and counselor. You do things with all of your heart striving for excellence. In your future career as a lawyer, you will have the opportunity to speak truth into a culture that is bent on neutralizing it.

I remember the Biblical scenes that you loved to act out would always involve sheer passion and rebuking: like Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple courtyard rebuking the Pharisees; or Jonah shouting to the Ninevites to repent! You also loved being Samson tied to the columns and loudly roaring as you broke them apart!

You, my son, do show all the qualities of your namesake.

You did make some amusing mix-ups as a child, like when you proudly announced to the kindergarten class that you had your first son when your brother was born. You had probably heard me say that I had Daniel specifically for you, so that you would not be an only child and have someone of your own. (Well, now you have not just 1 sibling but 9 more!! Lucky guy!) Or there was that time when you told me that if any kid in your class misbehaved, the teacher would hang them by their noses on the wall giving me a graphic disturbing image of kids hanging on hooks by their noses on the wall. 

You had a penchant for imitating books you just read or movies you just saw. Like when you saw The Hunchback of Notre Dame, we went to Red Lobster and just as a group of Caribbean ladies were leaving in their church dresses and hats, you shouted, “What a woman!” to which they all turned around and smiled, each one taking it personally, probably thinking what remarkable good taste you had! You imitated the Lord of the Rings books by writing your very first novel in Grade 4! 

And Nate, one of the greatest joys you have given me is sitting next to me in church and hearing you sing and worship, or hearing you and your brother sing together or jam to music while driving. I remember the first time I heard you sing in the musical Anne of Green Gables, I was in awe. Wow, my son can sing!

Your Dad and I and Daniel are so proud of you. There is a sense of the noble in you, a prince among men. Your Dad said, “What a happy day when Nathan was born!” You are loved, not because you have accomplished so much in your life thus far,[which you have!] but because you are you, a perfect gift we delight in, just as God delights in each one of us, just because we are His.

I made so many parenting flaws. Then I look at you, and hey, you turned out great anyway.
Because God. 

Because there are some prayer warriors in my family. Thank you to my parents and siblings! Mom, thank you especially for being the first one in our family line to embrace Jesus as the Way and relentlessly praying for the rest of your family.
Because Grace.
His Hand has always been upon you, opening doors and protecting you.

My exhortation to you in your new role as a husband, is first to dwell on your blessings and be grateful. Nurture a grateful heart. Never fail to thank anyone who has blessed you, especially your wife.

Second, be teachable. That requires humility. You're going to be living with another human being you did not grow up with and whose habits are different. Compromise will be necessary. More than that, be open to change. Let humility give you a teachable heart.

Third, communicate. Keep short accounts, don't let 'stuff' build up, clear them up constantly. Resolving conflicts is what builds a deep foundation of growing intimacy. Bottling up stuff creates walls and is probably not good for your health.

Over all of these, let God be the leader in your family. Build a firm foundation of faith for your family as the head of it. 

Never neglect participating in a church community, giving of your resources, praying and fellowshipping together. We were created for community.

However, never neglect a time alone with your God, to replenish your soul and release your will to His. That time alone with Him will equip you to love your wife and others. Follow Jesus' example.

And, finally and most importantly, do love your sweet Sarah through His heart. See her through His eyes. Speak to her through His words, truth laced with love. Touch her gently with His Hands. Listen to her with His ears with sensitivity and discernment. Walk with her courageously through the path He has purposed for you.

And Sarah, you have to know that you are an answer to prayer from when Nathan was a child. He told me the other day how he would groan inwardly when I brought my Stormie Omartian “The Power of a Praying Parent” to their bedside for night time prayer, lengthy prayers which included: “Lord, send the right wife at the perfect time and give Nathan a clear leading…prepare that person who will make the perfect wife for Nathan. I pray that this woman will be a godly and devoted servant of yours who loves You and lives your way and will be like a daughter to me.

You, Sarah, are an answer to my heart’s desire for my son. When he first told me about his interest in you, I only asked, “is she seeking after God?” And he said, “we both are!” Nathan's word comes from truth and conviction. My heart was filled with peace and his joy could not be hidden.  

Sarah, apart from your obvious outer beauty, you shine with an inner beauty of character. You are relentless in your love and loyalty for your loved ones. You are resourceful, smart and sensitive. Nathan told me once that you are the most stabilizing influence in his life. You bring out the best in him. Thank you so much to you and the entire Marshall family for embracing my son with such warmth and openness and treating him as one of your own. That weekend we spent at your cottage with you allowed me to see your family and their interaction. Dave and Anna, I must say that you have raised incredible human beings, each so gracious and kind and generous like you are. I fell in love with all of you, different as you are. That brings such peace to a mother’s heart to know that her son is loved by his in-laws and at total peace.

That particular Stormie Omartian prayer ended with this and so will I:

May Nathan have one mate for life, who is also his closest friend. (And that is you, Sarah). Lord, may they be mutually loyal, compassionate, considerate, sensitive, respectful, affectionate, forgiving, supportive, caring, and loving toward one another all the days of their lives.” Amen.

(By the way, guys, you can borrow my Stormie Omartian book anytime when the time comes! 😊)