I hadn’t worn my wedding ring for a long time. There wasn’t a change in my marital status, but there was a change in my ring size. I had not done anything about it because I was uncomfortable letting the ring leave my possession, even temporarily. I changed my mind when someone I just met suggested a singles group for older Christians. It was time to get the ring size adjusted.
I handed the ring over to the jeweler. A week later, my ring was ready, but it didn’t look like my ring anymore: the special brush finish was gone. The ring was sent back. We went round and round for several weeks trying to restore the ring back to “wedding day” condition. A month after I let go of my ring, I held it in my hand again. The jeweler looked at me with questioning eyes. “Yes!” I proclaimed. To which the jeweler responded, “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
My new “old ring” looks beautiful. It is no longer the same as the day my husband placed it on my finger. But neither am I, as I compare the image in the mirror to the wedding day pictures from 27 years ago. The changes are not just physical. God has changed me from the inside out. God has smoothed over the many rough edges so I can do a better job of shining for Him. God has enlarged my faith by extending His hand to me for the past 20 years. I wear His mark on my life with joyful celebration of the past and the years yet to come. And I will keep saying “Yes!” to God all over again.
Hosea 2:19-20
I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.
Snowdrops for faith 