Non-Scriptural Readings
 

Prayer of Saint Francis
From the town of Assisi in Italy, Francis was born into a wealthy family.  After encountering God in a dilapidated church, he gave up his wealth and lived the life of a beggar.  He is known for his connection with nature and animals, hence you see statues of St. Francis in many a garden.  1181-1226 (~44 years).

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much 
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Art of a Good Marriage

by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.
Never being too old to hold hands.
Remember to say “I love you”.
Never go to sleep angry.
At no time take the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
Having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
Stand together facing the world. Form a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
Do things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in a spirit of joy.
Speak words of appreciation and demonsrate gratitude in thoughtful ways.
Do not look for perfection in each other.
Cultivate flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
Have the capacity to forgive and forget.
Give each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
You are on a common search for the good and the beautiful.
Establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. 
Do not just marry the right partner; be the right partner.

On Marriage

by Kahlil Gibran

Then Almitra spoke again and said, And
what of Marriage, master?
     And he answered saying:
     You were born together, and together you
shall be forevermore.
     You shall be together when the white
wings of death scatter your days.
     Ay, you shall be together even in the
silent memory of God.
     But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
     And let the winds of the heavens dance
between you.
 
     Love one another, but make not a bond
of love:
     Let it rather be a moving sea between
the shores of your souls.
     Fill each other’s cup but drink not from
one cup.
     Give one another of your bread but eat
not from the same loaf.
     Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each one of you be alone,
     Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.
 
     Give your hearts, but not into each
other’s keeping.
     For only the hand of Life can contain
your hearts.
     And stand together yet not too near
together:
     For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
     And the oak tree and the cypress grow
not in each other’s shadow.