I’m a sucker for weddings.

I absolutely love LOVE.

Don’t you enjoy all of the traditions that go along with weddings? The church, the bridesmaids, and groomsmen, the beautiful clothes, the ‘something-old-something-new-something-borrowed-something-blue’—you know, all that stuff.

I went to a wedding last weekend that did not incorporate any of those traditions.

Nope. This was a picnic wedding. Ever been to one?

My guess is you have not.

The bride’s mother, Sue who happens to be one of my dearest friends had her doubts when her daughter Abby announced the picnic idea. We all did.

But before I tell you about Abby and Sam’s picnic wedding, allow me to tell you a few things about their families, because the people are the reason we go to weddings, right?

Abby’s mom and dad, Dave and Sue Robson are some of the most loving and authentic Christians you will ever meet.

Isn’t that what love should be—authentic?

Dave and Sue’s mission is to serve God by fleshing out His Word in real life. They have spent their marriage in service to the body of Christ and raising some amazing godly kids, Zach and Abby.

The Robsons made it their life goal to champion, coach, encourage, teach, challenge, admonish in love, and celebrate life with those God places anywhere close to their sphere of influence.

This type of living is not always easy because relationships are difficult, messy, and come with the risk of rejection and pain. But years ago, they chose the narrow road that only few find.

And this type of life rubs up against status quo and culture. 

To be honest with you, the Robsons are different. They view life from a heavenly perspective.

It would take a very special and unique person to make a good match for Abby. And Sam Grissom is just the man! He has a passion for God, life, and for Abby. His parents raised him to love the Lord and he took that love out on the mission field at a young age.

So, when Abby and Sam decided to have a different, nontraditional wedding, it didn’t come as a total surprise. Abby’s desire was to celebrate God, the gift of love, and relationships. But the Robsons and Grissoms have LOTS of relationships. That tends to happen when you spend your life pouring into people.

The bride and groom wanted to keep it simple and focus on what really mattered to them—relationships. And that is how the picnic wedding idea came about.

Guess what? Picnic weddings are my new favorite!

It was like something from a hundred years ago, but with modern conveniences.

Guests were instantaneously transported back to a time when things were simpler.

No more FaceBook. This was a face-to-face, real, family of God celebration under a canopy of trees with a breeze blowing through our hair.

The bride and groom mingled with guests prior to the ceremony, walking barefoot through the grassy area filled with an assortment of picnic blankets. Everyone sipped lemonade and iced tea while catching up with old friends and family members.

Each little detail seemed to draw people closer to one another while throwing off pretense.

Well, it’s hard to be all “put together” when attempting to gracefully squat down and sit on a picnic blanket in a dress!

No, we forgot about such silliness. For we were in our holy Kingdom clothes and sitting shoulder to shoulder with people we love. These were the people we will spend eternity with, praising the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these beautiful ones!

Despite there being no aisle for the bride to walk down or many of the other traditions I’ve always enjoyed, there was a presence—reminiscent of traditions we hold dear, but more sacred.

The sweet presence of the Holy Spirit hovered as the bride’s father spoke of God’s sacred covenant of marriage, finally proclaiming Abby and Sam husband and wife.

And the celebration began! Such stories! Such joy! And dancing!

Yes, if ever there is a time to dance, it is at a wedding. 

We all know how difficult life can be. We experience pain and loss on a regular basis. In fact, some of the people at this wedding were also at my sweet mother’s funeral. I have cried with these friends. I have prayed with these friends. I have anguished with these friends. And on this day, I celebrated God, love, and life with these friends. Because there is a season for all things under the sun.

And this day was a time to dance!

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

♥GOD BLESS SAM AND ABBY GRISSOM!♥

For more about the LifeSource Coaches ministry of Dave and Sue Robson click HERE.

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