Hello again,

On this cold December night, I am returning to the testimonies of lost things being found. After all, three events came to mind, but I told of only two (other than the “Sound of Found” in Blue Skies, Butterflies, and Battlegrounds).

My first story was one titled “Appointments & Disappointments” where I told of finding a treasured Mother’s ring at an appointment during some very disappointing events.

The next story was when I lost the diamond from my engagement ring. I titled it “Unexpected Outcomes”. This event tells of how I believed in an outcome that I expected. God showed me how He sometimes blesses us in unexpected ways.

 I hope you have read or will read them. Each was written out of my desire to tell how God cares about everything we face. He shows us we can trust Him as Chuck Swindoll has stated, “Not only in the pit of dire circumstances but also in the pinnacle of abundance and success.”

After I gave testimony of these two events and before I could write about the third, I found myself in one of those pits of dire circumstances. Thus the blog “Heavy Hearts”. It was a timely reminder of how imperative it is to yoke up with Him and cast our cares on Him to free us from heavy hearts. After all, He lives in our hearts giving us peace and joy in the midst of it all. I am still in the circumstances that began the heavy heart, but I know what God says about not only yoking up with Him but not walking by sight or circumstances.

Then we moved into celebrating Thanksgiving with Christmas soon to come. It is pretty interesting how all of this comes together by telling of another experience with a lost item. This item was mine. Another treasured piece of jewelry. But this time it was recovered. The recovery story will always leave me with a sense of wonderment and a heart full of gratitude again.

During our first Christmas, as husband and wife, David bought me a diamond and ruby necklace. The diamond was in the center and encircled with deep rich rubies. It was dainty, perfect for my taste, and another big surprise for me. Can you tell that my husband enjoys surprising me with jewelry? As it turned out, diamonds are the birthstone for our oldest daughter and rubies are our second daughter’s. He could have never planned that out!

I valued it and wore it only on special occasions. Through the years I knew that one of our daughters, or granddaughters, would treasure it also. (Much like the Mother’s ring that was passed to the granddaughter.) My necklace was carefully kept in a cherry wood jewelry box David got me several years later. Throughout our numerous moves in the military and afterward, it was watchfully transported along with several other jewelry items.

In September of last year, we received word that a very dear friend’s mother had passed. The funeral was in Louisiana and we decided to attend. We planned to take advantage of the proximity to our families in east TX and visit with them after the funeral.

As I was selecting my clothing to wear for the funeral, I decided that I would also wear one of my special necklaces. The choice was between my diamond and ruby necklace or an emerald and diamond necklace that David had surprised me with on our 50^th wedding anniversary. I couldn’t decide at the time so my thought was to take them both and decide there.

I chose the emerald necklace to wear at the funeral and did not get my jewelry out for the rest of our trip. After returning home, while unpacking, my diamond and ruby necklace was missing! It was not with the other jewelry I had taken on the trip. I looked over and over again!  I turned the little travel bag inside out and to my dismay, it was not there! I  searched absolutely everywhere that I could think of. Even places that seemed somewhat absurd and unreasonable, like the top and bottom of my closet, drawers, pockets, trunk of the car, under furniture, etc. Then my thoughts went to the possibility of the cleaning lady at the motel taking it.  What was the likelihood of her confessing? I thought it may have fallen out of the little bag at my sister’s where we stayed in Texas. I even called her to see if she had found it knowing all along that I had not gotten it out at her house.

I was so desperate to find that necklace that I admittedly obsessed with my search. And the real anguish came with the thought of telling David that I had lost it! I just couldn’t! At one point I hoped he had forgotten he had given me the necklace! I’m telling on myself, I know, but that’s where I was at the time.

I finally settled in my mind that the ring was gone. Those things happen and we just need to get over it. Then I started examining myself and decided that I was placing too much value on material things and letting it rob me of my joy. Or worse yet my sanity! I told myself if God wanted me to have it, I would have found it after all of these months of searching. The conclusion was that He would teach me in this and I needed to let go and learn whatever it was He had as a lesson. Hmm…

An understanding of the lesson was not had, because I was confused about the lesson. Or even if there was a lesson! I hope some of you can relate! In my moment of desperation, I lost my ability to reason. Or worse yet, my ability to let go and let God carry me through. Talk about losing focus! They say hindsight is 20/20. Lol!

So I decided I must let go and chose to relinquish my pursuit. And there was no need to disappoint David by telling him unless the topic came up.

Eleven months passed and one day I decided it was time to clean out and organize my cherry wood jewelry box. I took everything out and selected numerous costume jewelry items to donate. I also have a jewelry armoire that I bought years ago that had collected a lot of clutter. My cleaning and organizing lead to include the armoire.

For most of the years that I had the armoire, my jewelry box sat on top of it. But I had recently moved the jewelry box to the vanity top. I pushed up on the top of the armoire as I was moving it to clean, revealing a forgotten hidden compartment! I hesitantly said “forgotten” because in my mind I never knew it was there. (And I have the reputation of having an elephant’s memory). LOL! Much to my shock and astonishment there inside this compartment was my cherished diamond and ruby necklace! I picked it up in momentary disbelief! If I was not holding it in my hands and seeing it with my own eyes, I would have never believed it was real. I had to sit down and catch my breath so that I would have more breath to say, “Thank You God” over and over again. Tears and laughter ensued!

I realize some might think I am being unnecessarily dramatic as I describe this event. I say the very definition of drama is what I experienced and am trying to convey. Drama is defined as an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or sets of circumstances. For me, this event was filled with drama and dramatic expression was necessary.

After a few moments of sheer delight and wiping away some tears of joy, like the little boy with his ring in the “Sound of Found”, I eagerly told my husband from start to finish about the lost necklace he knew nothing about. He hugged me and we both soaked in the moment.

I must add that as I retell these events, I get to soak in these moments again. As I previously shared, “He shows us we can trust Him as Chuck Swindoll has stated, “Not only in the pit of dire circumstances but also in the pinnacle of abundance and success.”

Thank God for reminders because, I for one, need them regularly. How about you?

And as an additional reminder, listen to Do It Again by Elevation Worship. He never fails!  Your promise still stands, great is your faithfulness…Praise God! I hope this reminds you of His faithfulness.

May I remind you that I am blessed by your comments?

I will end with the title of this blog, He Did it Again!

Thank you for taking the time to read my stories and may God richly bless you,

Reba