Close to the end of the summer, I lost my wedding ring in the yard. As you can imagine, it was quite a shock that led to some discouragement. The whole family scoured the yard where I thought it might have fallen off, to no avail.
Finally, after looking and looking, we (I) gave up hope. This ring had been on my finger for over 18 years at that point, coming off only a handful of times to look at the inside of the ring and admire the pristine quality where it had been resting on my finger and the Bible verse, date, and a particular name of God. After 18 years of daily wear and tear, the outside of the ring showed, but it was a good type of show-ing!
Now, there was no ring. What did I do? What could I do?
I thought about buying a new one, but that option was just too expensive with the current prices of gold. I thought about a cheaper option but couldn’t talk myself into it. So, I grabbed an old ring I had purchased in high school from a shop in Durango. It fits just about perfectly. Problem solved?
Well, yes and no.
Sure, the substitute ring had meaning–the family and I have since traveled to Durango on many occasions. However, it wasn’t “our” ring. So, I prayed and, from time to time, would moan about losing the ring. Through it all, my wife was patient. She was kind and didn’t browbeat me for losing the ring. I was thankful!
The thought kept coming back, “What if I found it? How cool would that be?”
Well, this past Saturday, we were at home playing out in the yard, and I decided to look for the ring again. A friend had let me borrow his metal detector, but it had been ineffective. I thought to myself, “Let’s just try again.” And so I did.
Off I went and picked up all kinds of random metal objects on the ground: an old sprinkler, what looked like a welding rod, and more.
After searching for a bit, I had almost given up hope again, but something shifted in my attitude. I thought, “I think I might find this ring.” And so I prayed.
I returned to a spot I had previously scanned and started scanning again. “Beep.” I heard it go. I moved the dirt and scanned over it again. “Beep.” It went again. I dug my hand into the earth; sure enough, there was my RING! I had found it.
One of my daughters was with me about the entire time, and we hugged and thanked God.
My whole family came outside, and we laughed and thanked God. I circled everyone up around where it had been buried and prayed. I thanked God for something so small to him yet so significant to me. I thanked Him for His provision.
I then encouraged my family, saying, “The Lord knows our needs and wants. He supplies at just the right time and according to His way. We may not always get what we desire, but we can rest in His plan to provide what we need. The ring didn’t fall into my lap; God used my initiative to accomplish His purpose. We can’t control the outcome but can control our contribution to the process. Don’t ever forget this lesson.”
And so, let me encourage us all with these words:
Alone, the ring sat in the soil.
Yet, the rain, the wind, and the snow, the Lord’s will, it could not foil.
For, one day, the ring would find its familiar resting place,
However, in the meantime, a lesson was being taught by a careful and kind grace.
Don’t lose heart, save a little trust,
The Lord’s will worketh, for your good and His glory, it must.
In His time, He will surely satisfy;
Alight on the next step, apathy you surely must defy.
Rest and trust in His sovereign care;
His love for you flows down to even what your hand may wear.
Take heart then, you weary traveling soul;
Your God will fulfill His purpose,
and seeking His Kingdom is your temporal goal.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Matthew 13:44
— February 29, 2024