A Reason For Marriage

They were, while not necessarily “leaders” in the community, considered influential among those who lived in their neighborhood. Each was successful in their chosen field of endeavor. Interestingly, they each headed their own company in the same industry. It was a testimony to their commitment to each other that when one was rewarded a contract at the expense of the other, they would both go out for an evening of celebration for the successful competitor.

The parson had long been drawn to them both for their professionalism, their unique circumstance in business affairs, their commitment to serve in the community where they lived, and their unique relations to his church which did not and never would encompass membership, and their obvious devotion one to the other.

Rhonda and Dave were not Christians. They had real problems with the organized church. They rejected much of what the church put forth. The parson often felt Paul would have been at home speaking to this couple and their acknowledgment of “an unknown god.” Over the years the parson recognized that, while they kept “religion” at a distance, they were passionately connected to the “greater good,” and while they did not desire to be a part of any organized religious body they were intrigued with the concept of “the first principle,” the “divine cause,” the “ultimate meaning,” and dozens of other descriptions of what the God might be. It was this aspect of their lives that, perhaps more than any other, attracted the parson to them. Many a night they'd sat on the porch drinking Robertson Wine from South Africa as they debated theology.

Now they sat in the parson's study. Rhonda and Dave were holding hands on the love seat. The parson was sitting in his rocker. “What's up?” the parson asked.

Rhonda actually blushed. Dave looked out the window. Rhonda cleared her throat. She responded, “Dave and I wanted to ask you if you would marry us.”

The parson stared at them, no doubt open-mouthed. He then reacted, “You want to get married?”

“Yes,” said Dave, “we do. And we'd be honored if you would be the one to tie the knot, so to speak.”

“You want a church wedding?”

“Well, no, not really,” said Rhonda. “We were thinking of a ceremony in our backyard with a few close friends and neighbors. I mean, I know, your presence would naturally make it a religious ceremony, and that's fine with us. But we're not thinking about getting married in the church proper.”

The parson smiled. He kept staring. There was a long pregnant silence. The parson was at a loss for words.

Dave broke the silence. “So, will you do it?”

“Can I ask you a question?” the parson inquired.

“Sure,” said Dave. Rhonda nodded her head.

“Look, you guys have lived together in a committed relationship for seventeen years. You have made it clear to me you don't think the formality of a marriage ceremony is necessary to a happy and fulfilled life. And certainly your life together has given evidence that you're right. So why in the world, after all these years, would you want to now get married?”

Now the silence was initiated by Rhonda and Dave. After a few moments Rhonda spoke. “Okay, here's the thing. You've met my daughter Harriet. And you know about her getting married last year. So, Harriet and Mike are pregnant. The baby's due in about three months. Dave and I have talked about it. We've decided that we need to get married now because, well, we shouldn't be living together out of wedlock because of needing to set an example for the grandchild.”

The parson smiled. The parson rocked in the rocker a short while. The parson's smile got larger. He'd heard less compelling reasons for getting married in this very study.

“Okay,” said the parson, “what's the date we're going to tie this knot?”

Comments

[wondering aloud]

oh thank you, my smile is massive...it's a good way to start the day

:)

[Dorcas]

Giggling...at the underlying thinking. I mean, if there is NO NEED to marry, why worry about their example to the grandkid? Off to work, but smiling. :-)