I'll be the first to admit that too much money was spent on the royal wedding of William and Kate (over $100M?). And, sure, there are many ways that this money could have been better spent with respect to feeding starving children, providing clean water, building schools, etc. in third world countries. (Though, I think it's cool that Kate and William asked guests to make donations to various charities in lieu of gifts. I mean, really, what would people give them anyway?)
But, at the same time, it was so nice to be able to follow and be excited about the happy, glorious, good news of a WEDDING. It's so rare that there is happy news reported. In fact, the same day as their wedding, the devastation of tornados was on every front page east of the Mississippi. Whatever the heck is happening in the middle-east is always being reported (and it's always bad) so much that we're (or maybe just I am) completely desensitized to it.
I was excited for probably all of April to watch this historic event. I didn't get up extra early, but I had it on DVR (just in case Tag-o-sauras decided to sleep in) so I watched the whole thing (plus all the reviews of her dress!). When it was over, I was left with high hopes for William and Kate, Excuse... Catherine. I hope they take their wedding vows seriously, and I hope they make being happily married forever in vogue and desirable for the public who will be watching their every move. I hope their marriage withstands the public pressure they'll feel. I hope they'll serve the world with humanitarian efforts we've never seen from any other power couple before. Lastly, I hope they regularly meditate on the beautiful passage read at their wedding.
Romans 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
PS. Did y'all see the cake??
John Stillwell / AFP - Getty Images
Andrew Milligan / AFP - Getty Images
.jpg)
