HAS ANYTHING PRECIOUS (but replaceable) EVER BEEN TAKEN FROM YOU?

Then read this Joy Story!
Overcome an evil attack with victory – and – joy!
Choosing joy and thankfulness in Christ trumps any hardship that Satan, his demonic realm, and his children could ever throw at you…
Here’s one fabulous example! Enjoy!

 

 

 

THIS MORNING DUANE AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT SUE. Sue is the lady who sold us my latest wedding ring.
Latest? Yes! One marriage, one stolen first wedding ring…

Praise be to God and His teachings!
I handled my stolen wedding ring loss well; very well, indeed. I challenged the person who stole it, he denied it. To this day I still believe he stole it. Then, because I could nothing else (except contact the police, which for some reason I never thought of) – I gave this sin to God, praying for the thief, whomever he really is. God knows. And I know He knows. That’s good enough for me. And: my witness as a Christian is intact.

Selah.

I have often said: “I’d rather be the victim than the one doing the evil!” I proved to myself once again: I mean what I say. All glory to God and thanks!
So as Duane and I were talking about my ring, I spoke of Sue. My first (which should have been my forever wedding ring) was beautiful! It was white gold with a marquise diamond. Of course, I loved it, treasured it: but unlike a husband, a ring can be replaced.

Selah.

Duane and I had gone to a few jewelry stores looking for what I wanted. I had never intended to choose my own wedding ring, never intended to need a replacement ring. But I did. And for some reason I have never liked those mother’s rings. Not my style. However, I liked the idea of having stones for each of my children in a new wedding ring I now found myself needing…

I love sapphires. I had it in my heart to get a new wedding ring with dark blue sapphires; the sapphires reflecting my four children. Remember, one of my children died unborn at three months in my womb (my body: which is not my own.)

The search was on! Duane and I both had no problem with me coming with him to choose a new wedding ring, something I never thought I would ever want to do. Don’t know why I was so desiring to be involved…

The jewelry store where we ‘found it’ could never have been the one if Sue wasn’t there, working that day. She was wonderful! I explained to her the unusual reason we needed a new ring and what we were looking for. I can still see in my mind’s eye, her pausing and thinking carefully to what I was saying. A wedding ring and the person who helps you find the perfect one are both very important in your life! When she heard what I had to say and took loving care to absorb my situation, she said she’d be right back. I was excited, maybe I knew. The very first (and only ring) she decided might very possibly be for me brought up in me sheer delight! Our search hadn’t been that long and I knew I would never settle on a ring I didn’t absolutely love! Why should I? I refused to rush and settle on a husband!!!

Duane wanted to make this day even more special. So he took me away to a coffee kiosk quite nearby the store to ‘discuss the ring’. He was teasing me, I knew! I loved this ring so much that it brought tears to my eyes! How could he say no? We both realized that we shouldn’t have to do this, he gave me my first and what I thought was my only forever ring… But I need a wedding ring: I love letting everyone know I am married. I am in covenant with God and Duane in holy matrimony. Marriage is not to be taken lightly nor irreverently. I certainly enjoyed my coffee that day, more than usual. We even made it a tradition that when I get my ring checked every six months we get a coffee and remember this day!

My second diamond ring is not a marquise. It is a princess cut. This also is one of my favorite diamonds. I don’t care for the pear shape at all and don’t like the round cut.

This new, beautiful, and last wedding ring is a princess cut, with a sapphire square stone on either side; next to them are more diamonds. You know what? This ring has been discontinued in their store and I always doubted I would ever, ever see another one like it.

And I haven’t.

I was so grateful to Sue! She listened, she thought about what she might have that I would love! And she found it! I can’t even remember the differences between the description of a ring I thought I wanted! My ring is for me. It was waiting there for me…

I was so thankful to have my first wedding ring replaced! I was so thankful I didn’t hate the person who stole it (I won’t go into details about how I knew.)! All was well: my ring was replaced, I didn’t mourn over it like it was a family member, and I didn’t blame God! (Never do!)

To make this wedding ring story even a greater victory, God moved my heart to buy Sue flowers to show her my deep appreciation for her caring service and my gratitude in having replaced a ring I never should have had to!

The flowers Duane and I picked out for her as we went to pick up my ring were gorgeous. The vase was a metallic pink; one that I would have loved to have gotten for myself. But this was for Sue, only for her…

Sue was thrilled to be given extra appreciation. Not too many people are so thankful that they buy gifts for strangers…  Her coworker told us on another day we came in with that Sue had a very bad day before we brought those flowers in… She told us how much they meant to her. Another blessing for us!

As I get my ringed cleaned and examined regularly, I think about how Sue has blessed my marriage with such a unique and lovely wedding ring…  And I think about the joy we gave her! I am telling you, beloved, it was a gift that keeps on giving – the joy exchange!

 

 

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY

 

 

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

Psalm 34:15-16
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.

 

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.