LESSONS FROM A WEDDING

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I attended a wedding last week and I was excited not only for the couple getting married but my own selfish interest-to be reminded of what I needed to do to keep my marriage happy.

This has now been my approach when am invited for these occasions since my meeting with our Managing Director at a wedding earlier this year where he gave me this wonderful insight. encounter which was shared in this article 

The guest of honour perfectly summed up the exquisite occasion in his opening remarks of his speech:

"This wedding is lit! Harrison and Towani, you have nailed it! Jealous down!" 

The speakers from both sides of the family and the guest of honour had a collective over 80 years in marriage and so much can be learnt from the wisdom shared by them.

The speaker (29 years in marriage) from the groom’s side of the family in his speech made it clear that he is not a conformist, and some people may not agree with what he was going to say. 

He gave the couple two lessons as follows:

1. Marriage is never 100%:  He advised the couple against being overtaken by events of the day to think that marriage will just be a celebration (100%) going forward. "Most of the times, your marriage will operate between 51-60%." He added: "However, when both of you put in your best, you can get to about 80%."

The most important thing is to put in the work and realize that marriage may not always be bliss but all the same it is a beautiful thing. 

2. Do not compete: He urged the couple not to fall into the temptation of competing with others. He mentioned that our natural tendency is to compare our relationships with others. The key is to focus on yourselves and not what other people are doing. 

You will be much happier if you focus and work on your marriage.

Being an event dominated by members of the Legal profession including the groom, it was very fitting that the event had the guest of honour from the Engineering fraternity.

With 37 years in marriage, the guest of honour delivered what could not be described as a speech but a performance worthy of any speaking award.

The energy and intensity in which he gave his opening remarks was enough to get everyone's attention.

He based his talk on 4 principles derived from the bible which the Apostle Paul gave to young Timothy whom he was grooming.

The principles were as follows:

1.Guard the Gospel: Paul urged Timothy to safeguard the gospel which he had shared with him. In a similar way, the couple was urged to "guard each other", to be faithful and loyal to one another. 

"Build a fence around each other. Hold on to each other!" he emphasized.

2. Endure hardship as a good soldier: Paul admonished Timothy to endure difficulties as a good soldier of Christ. In the same way, he urged the groom to be tough like a soldier when difficult times arise which they will.

"When times are hard and your family is having difficulties, it is not just time to kneel down and pray in tongues. It is time to stand up and defend your family like a good soldier defends his country!"

3. Preach the gospel: In a similar way that Paul encouraged Timothy to share the good news with others, he urged the couple to do the same. They should encourage their friends who may be single to marry and be good examples of what a good marriage should look like. Treat and support your colleagues the same way that you have been supported.

4. Find pleasure in preaching the gospel: He advised the couple to enjoy their marriage.

"You are in a position to travel within and outside the country. Get out and explore, enjoy your marriage." 

He mentioned that in his time, he didn't know better because they would only travel for holidays in December to Livingstone as that is the only place they knew. He jokily added:

"And whenever we came back from Livingstone, they would be another baby on the way." To a roaring laughter from the audience.

You can most certainly do better than that, he added.

He concluded his invigorating 'performance' to a rousing applause. 

As he left the stage, the Master of Ceremony remarked that the guest of honour was drenched in sweat, an indication of the level of passion with which he delivered his heartfelt speech.

 Lesson from another wedding here


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