With gratitude to God that we express to this day, God led you to us. There were cries. First Imma’s, then yours. The sounds of traveling from one world to the next.
May it be Your will, Eternal One, our God and our ancestors’ God, that You lead her toward peace, support her footsteps towards peace, guide her toward peace, and enable her to reach her desired destinations for life, joy, and peace.
We blessed you with your ancestors’ names. We let go as you took footsteps, ones that we prayed would enable you to reach your desired destinations to find life, joy, and peace.
We are in the car. You are sitting in the back, just as you did for hundreds of trips since that first one from the hospital. To school. To camp. To shop. To friends.
But this is a trip none of us have taken before. Today, we are driving you to your wedding.
May You rescue them from the hand of every foe, ambush, bandits, and beasts along the way, and from all manner of punishments that rage and come upon the world.
You will begin your journey envisioning a smooth ride, but you also know that there will be bumps, you will be jostled. You may need to make a detour, or pull over and support one another as you wait for the danger to pass.
May You send blessing in their every handiwork, and grant them peace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see them.
Life’s compass pulls us towards peace, a heading which leads us to the joyful celebration down the road with you now. Once again, and for the last time, we will arrive with you. Later, we will go home without you. You will go home without us. Traveling from one world to the next.
May You hear the sound of our supplication, because You are the God who hears prayer and supplications. Blessed are You, Eternal One, who hears prayer.
