Stomping in Syrup

We had a piñata at our reception. Bet you've never heard of that at a wedding before. And, no, we're not Mexican. It was a big paper mache white heart with fuchsia trim, a diagonal Cupid's arrow, a large pink bow, the name ZIMANEK near the top on one side and BRAD and JILL on the other. It was filled with Smarties, Tootsie rolls, bubble gum and the like. We did this because we had a lot of kids at the wedding and we wanted them to have something special just for them. Plus we didn't want kids to participate in the throwing of the bouquet and garter (which we felt weren't for little ones anyways), so my Mom came up with the idea of the piñata. The DJ played the Mexican Hat Dance (Jarabe Tapatio - which I think is about stomping in syrup? Go figure.) Your Daddy and I swung each other around, made a tiny tunnel for the kids to walk under and danced until we decided to take a whack at the piñata with a long white pole that had streamers at the top. It was my job to hit the heart. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get that piñata to break open. It would just spin round and round and swing to and fro on the string. So here is where your Daddy stepped up to bat. With one hard whack the heart plummeted to the ground, just a tiny crack near the top. So my Mom, slipped in, picked up the heart and shook candy all over the floor. It was a huge success. The little ones (and your then 17-year-old Uncle Greg) scurried everywhere to pick up pieces of candy. I still giggle at the video when watching Uncle Greg squeeze between children to sneak candy into his pocket.

That is how you make a memory at a wedding reception: you provide something a little different with flair so that it's something folks will look back on with fondness, not just because it was your wedding, but because it was so much fun. We heard for years after people remembering - of all things - the piñata at our reception.

Looking back on it symbolically, it was pretty perfect. Here we were, our newlywed hearts, hanging by a thin thread, each of us taking whacks at them. While I never think it is the intention of the wife or husband to chip away at their beloved's heart, it does happen. Nagging and put downs can slice away at a tender loving heart. You will need to be extra cautious not to do so, especially if you've already gotten in the habit of doing it. It's easy to poke fun or make the snippy comment. It prays upon ignorance and weakness. It truly is like stomping in the syrup. But when is it even slightly loving or edifying? If we are trying to build up our spouse to make them a better person, then the heart whacks have to stop. Romans 12:18 says, "If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." 1 Cor. 14:26 (while dealing with various aspects of worship) says, "Let all things be done for edification." And 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing." The last thing you want to do is whack at each other's heart so hard it cracks and falls to the ground. While fun as a piñata, a broken heart is not so much.

May your words be as filled with sweetness to one another as that piñata was with candy.

Discussion: What do you think of a piñata at the reception? What is something fun or different you can do at your wedding to make a memory? Do you ever catch yourselves taking a whack at each other's heart verbally? Tell each other something you love about your fiance.

Prayer: Lord, our hearts are tender and in your care. I pray, Lord, we care for our beloved's heart as You do ours. Help us to build one another up and not tear down. In Jesus, Amen.

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Edification,-Means-Of#sthash.4RzyI8IK.dpuf

Let all things be done for edification.

Let all things be done for edification.

A Time To Dance

When I first met your Daddy I asked him if he could dance. His response was, "Someone once told me as long as you move your hips, you can dance." Now he has never had a professional dance lesson ever, but he can certainly move on the dance floor. He just loves to dance. But when we're out there together, it's pretty frightening. I guess the point is, we don't care, cause we have fun.

However, there is that first wedding dance, now isn't there? That time when the bride and groom are front and center at the reception dancing together for the very first time with everyone watching. Your Daddy and I danced to Always by Atlantic Starr. We did the My-Arms-Around-His-Neck/His-Around-My-Waist Sway. Hey,don't knock it, it works in a pinch. Of course these days, people have all kinds of choreographed dances. I think we can thank Dances With The Stars for this movement.

The Lord loves for us to dance. It's all over Scripture. "David danced before the Lord with all his might." (2 Samuel 6:14). Psalm 150:4 says, "Praise him with tambourine and dance." Ecclesiastes 3:4 says "There is a time to dance." It always makes me sad when I hear of Christian denominations that discourage dance. Just watch a baby when music starts. They immediately begin to dance. God loves to watch us dance. We just need to have taste when we do. I don't think he's overly fond of twerking, for example. But I'll bet he loved to watch Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly dance.

At our wedding, one of your Grandpa Lauritzen's best friends, John Sale, was at the reception. John can dance. I mean really dance. My Dad asked him to dance with me. It was one of the most fun dances I have ever been a part of in my life. He could move so well, that I just needed to follow his lead and hang on tight. He made me look like I knew what I was doing. Half way through the dance he said to me, "Don't quit on me." I was thoroughly exhausted, but had an exhilarating time.

So our advice ... dance like no one's watching, as the saying says. If you are uncomfortable with how you dance, get a lesson or two. I know there are several places in your area that provide lessons for engaged couples, like Empire Ballroom Studios, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Fred Astaire Dance Studio and Bradenton Dance Center. So look into them and see what specials they have. And remember ... the man leads, so let him do so.

And have fun! I know your Daddy and I will be. So right there you should feel quite comfortable on the dance floor, cause lots of folks will be watching us aghast at our pitiful moves in exactly nine months. But we won't care, cause there's a time to dance, and we will be.


Discussion: Do you know what you want to dance your first dance to? Do you plan to take lessons? What do you think of dancing?

Prayer: Father, we thank you for instilling in us a desire to dance, and we especially thank You for those opportunities to dance in praise to you. Father, is it so much fun to dance (and good for us). We pray we have a good - and safe - time dancing at Rob and Ayla's wedding! In Jesus' name, Amen.