My wife and I attended the wedding of one of her nieces this past Saturday. Heather, the niece, and her boyfriend, Elliot, finally decided to make it "official" after being together for almost four years, and living together for the past two. They are both in their early 20's and have little clue as to what they want to be when they grow up. No problem there, that was the story for most of us as well and look how we all turned out .......that was an attempt at humor, people!

Anyway, these kids are just a product of their times, just as we were, and I had to struggle to remind myself of that during the ceremony, especially while I looked at their appearances and listened to the songs that were sung. Firstly, it must be noted that while the niece's parents are Christians their daughter had long since decided that it was too much trouble, as her lifestyle choices reflected. They are still nice kids, it is just that we hope for better for them in the future. But back to the wedding.....

The ceremony was performed in a park and the presiding official was a friend who had obtained a temporary license to wed, it's done all the time in California by people who don't want anything do do with religion. The friend was a young female who sported a pierced lip and spoke with a lot of "ya know"s and "like"s in her conversation. But, hey, I'm tolerant, ya know?

As the ceremony started another young woman sang a song accompanied by a young man on guitar, definitely not professional, just like we did, and she had a very nice voice. But the song was only vaguely familiar to me as something written by a Seattle grunge band. After the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked front and center one thing was clearly apparent to me...all of the young women were tattooed up and down their arms and legs and they wore halter top type sleeveless dresses so the "artwork"was all visible. Multiple piercings were also on view.

The words to the songs and poems were decidedly dark in tone. There were a number of references to "darkness", as in "I'll follow you into the darkness" and "Together we'll walk the dark and narrow path". It made me a bit sad that these kids see their future as being so bleak even at a time that is supposed to be joyous.

But who am I to judge them in this? Just because our experience was different doesn't make it any better than theirs. I just wish that I could see some optimism in their sub culture instead of darkness and doubt.

But these young people will have to make their own way in the world so my hat is off to them! They may be starting off their life as poor as beggars and as rootless as gypsies, but isn't that the way of the world?

Heather and Elliot, my prayers are with you, may you find God in surprising places and His blessings and mercy abundant.