Brooke and Klaus have spent many months preparing to be wed, not just by gathering decorations, organizing the ceremony, and planning a menu but also by talking with counselors and pastors before ever getting engaged, in an effort to troubleshoot before trouble comes. They arrived at their wedding day more prepared than any couple I know.

Part of the reason for this is that they’d been through several relationship challenges during their 3 years together. These they viewed as blessings in disguise, warnings to show them where weaknesses were hiding. Their desire was to stand together on their wedding day with the wrinkles smoothed out as much as possible.

The result of their counseling was wholehearted, individual dependency on God, and part of their vows to each other last Saturday highlighted promises to keep Jesus Christ as their top priority, to go to him first, should difficulties arise. And just before the ceremony, they went to him in a fresh commitment, and also to request his blessing on their day, their guests, and their lives together. I admire them both greatly.

Because they had put first things first, their wedding day was carefree and joyful, a barefoot bride facing her groom in a lush outdoor setting with guests seated comfortably on bales of hay. Tears from both of them during the ceremony testified to tender hearts for each other and deep sensitivity to God. Nelson, who was officiating, reinforced that: “As long as you both keep Christ at the center of your marriage, you can’t fail.”

On this day when Brooke and Klaus “tied the knot,” they chose to symbolize the importance of tying themselves to the Lord by braiding three cords together. They want their marriage to be a trio with God rather than just a duo. Nelson explained: “Two people who are bound together in Christ are stronger than the individuals themselves.”

Of course we all know that life frequently dishes out the unexpected, and this young couple won’t be exempt. But I do think they’ll do well, mostly because they tied their knot in a triple cord with the One who has the power and ability to hold them together. May God use their relationship to coax the rest of us to do the same.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)