Are you ready to hear about my lost valuable item’s unexpected outcome and yet another lesson? I hope so because it is interesting how this one comes together.

 I am writing this experience to show how God can turn our disappointments into His appointments to bless us in unexpected ways, in His ways, in His timing.

This is the story of an experience in which God did just that!

My husband, David, and I got engaged to be married when I was very young. He asked his mom for advice about all aspects of the ring that he would present to me for that special event. He didn’t ask my ring size, style, or color of gold preference. He wanted it to be a total surprise. He was successful at that!

The day he planned for his surprise proposal, I was a little upset with him about his long delay in coming to see me. The day was dragging on and I hadn’t heard anything from him. He finally showed up on my doorstep that evening. Without attempting to explain his late arrival, he presented the beautiful ring and made his proposal. That was probably the fastest I have ever gotten over being a bit miffed at him! Lol! I readily accepted the ring and his proposal. I might add that we will celebrate 53 years of marriage this Wednesday, October 16^th. I thank the Lord for having His hand on us through all those years.

The ring couldn’t have pleased me more but the size was far too big. I have a much smaller finger than most women. The jeweler had already told him it could be resized if that was the case. He was correct but what we found out later was that cutting it down that much weakened the band. I checked it frequently and had it repaired several times. Also unknown to us was that although diamond solitaires were very popular, the prongs holding the diamond had to be re-tipped occasionally. After many years, mine got so worn that we decided to have the diamond remounted.

In my second book Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds my narrative for “Stumbling” begins with “Stumbling.”  “Wow, what a chapter in my life story!” After I explained the injuries that I sustained and the outcome of stumbling over an uneven place on a sidewalk, I made this statement. “There are many other dark paths in this story, but I believe those details are not necessary.” I could have never imagined my diamond engagement ring being one of the dark paths in this story that I chose not to tell of at that time.

Today I reread my narrative for “Stumbling” to refresh my memory of the process.  I spoke of the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit after my bleak walk through “untraveled territory” with the damage to my teeth. “I knew I had Him for direction, peace, and wisdom for everything I was going through. I needed every ounce of it because we were not finished with this story yet!” Page #52.

I continued by telling of the visual problems and my referral to a retinal specialist. The outcome of my appointment with the retinal specialist revealed an even more serious condition of my eyes.

Although peace that surpasses all understanding stepped into my life, I still needed time to process all that I was going through and to be able to tell my husband.

On my way home from the retinal specialist. I distracted myself for a moment by picking up a couple of grocery items. At that time I believe I was feeling shocked and numb. Arriving home David could tell I did not have good news. As I told him the condition of my eyes, he was silent as if he couldn’t take it in either. He probably shared in my shocked and numb state of mind. And even though I had peace within, this was a process. “The enemy never missed an opportunity to attempt bombarding my mind with fear of what could happen!”

Immediately after telling David the bad news, I glanced at my engagement ring only to find the diamond missing! The numbness intensified! I could not believe my eyes! I can’t possibly remember how much time passed before calling the doctor’s office hoping by some miracle someone had found it and turned it in. How likely was that? No one had found it but the kind lady said she would tell the cleaning lady to watch for it.

I then decided to retrace my steps. First, I looked in the car, and everywhere between the house and the car. Then I decided to search the parking lot at the shopping center. I searched the store where I had bought the grocery items. Meanwhile, I remembered that I had pumped gas before returning home. So I went to the gas station to continue my search. You can tell I was determined to find that diamond!

All the while, I was praying and believing the Lord would direct me to find my diamond. After all, I had returned several rings to others so it was my turn to receive that blessing. My thought process in my moment of distress is almost embarrassing to acknowledge. I kept praying for a blessing, but the blessing didn’t come in my time or my way as my search drew to a conclusion. God had other plans and that is where the unexpected outcome enters the story.

This reminds me of my poem “The Answer is Coming” in my first book Inspire Me. I hope you will read it and see if you agree … “But if in His wisdom, the Lord says “No” He has something better; through it, you will grow. So always remember our Father hears our requests And however He answers is always the best!”

Time passed and my prayers and thoughts were focused on my healing. Thinking back on my lost diamond, somehow it didn’t compare to the possibility of losing my sight! This helped get things in proper perspective. I have been truly blessed to have come through those dark places with amazing results.

The injuries I sustained in my stumbling accident and the loss of my diamond were in 2020. If you remember, that year was a tough one world wide.

David and I were already excited about and looking forward to our upcoming 50^th wedding anniversary in the Fall of 2021. We were saving money and deciding how to celebrate our “Golden” event. I had no idea that David was planning another grand surprise. Instead of waiting for our anniversary, He would present his anniversary gift to me at Christmas in 2020. All our children and grandchildren knew of this gift and kept it secret. After everyone had opened their gifts, they gathered around to see my response when presented with such a beautiful surprise. It was the last gift to be opened when David took it out of its hiding place.

The gift was the most beautiful ring I could imagine. This one had a large diamond in the center, and smaller diamonds around it, with various shapes and sizes of diamonds halfway around the band. It was stunning and I could never have chosen a ring I would enjoy more. Actually, I tried. Let me explain because I know that sounded very odd.

This ring was also far too large for me. When I returned it to have it resized, we found they could not adjust it that small. The ring would have to be remade, which would take about 6 months! So David suggested that I shop around to see if I could find one that I  liked equally that could be made to fit much sooner. After an extensive local search and online shopping, it became apparent the ring David had chosen for me was ideal. I would wait however long it took for it to be remade. “A “yes” that says, “just wait a little while,” Waiting with Him you can walk the extra mile.”

There is another factor in the equation that made this ring exceptional. David and I set aside a monthly amount of money for each of us to spend however we choose. Unknown to me, David had been saving for months to be able to buy that ring for me! That is sacrificial giving and a notable expression of love. This token of his love for me is more precious than gold or diamonds. I am reminded of this every time I look at it.

Yes, this unexpected outcome was an opportunity for God to take my deep disappointment and use it as an appointment to bless me. Only this time, he used my husband to express his abiding love for me. The Lord said “no” to me finding my diamond because He had something better for me through David.

Additionally, although I was told I would have to wait six months for the remaking, I got a call less than two weeks later that my ring was back! How could that be? It had been sent overseas! It fits perfectly!  Even the manager could not explain how that happened. I have a friend that calls that,  “a God Wink”. I like that. God’s way and His timing are always the best!

The lessons packed in this event were very similar to my previous blog:

#1. The ring symbolizes eternity, endless, never-ending love. When we wed, we exchanged rings pledging this love for each other.

#2. Gold is thought to be the most valuable thing on earth. In this case, putting God first, a husband and wife are to hold each other as the most valuable thing on earth.

#3. Although my diamond was not recovered, my husband replaced it in a way that expressed the same love and commitment to me as the first ring. And as a bonus, I still have the gold band that held that diamond.

#4. The sound of rejoicing with tears of happiness that I did when he presented this ring. All with my loved ones around to witness this occasion.

Many of you have not experienced this kind of marriage. This topic is one I would like to write about. But now is not the time.

The purpose of this story is…

God is always looking to bless us. Just remember that life has its disappointments, but also remember that God wants to use them as His appointments to bless us with unexpected outcomes in His time and His way. He always wants to grow our faith and trust in Him and show us His love, sometimes to show us the love of others. “So always remember, Our Father hears our requests And however He answers is always the best!”

I Chronicles 16:12 NKJV “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgements of His mouth,”

I truly hope He has used me to bless you by sharing this story. I enjoy hearing from you and appreciate what you share with me.

God bless and keep you,

Reba