The Wedding Ring (continued)

Last fall, I lost my wedding ring.  Of course, when I realized it was missing, I did all of the normal things—I tried to pinpoint where and when the ring was misplaced, I retraced my steps, and I prayed—all to no avail.

One thing I didn't do, was panic. This had happened before, both to myself and to my husband. Eventually our rings always turned up. And so, as the weeks and months rolled by, I joyfully, prayerfully held on to my assumption that the issue would resolve itself.

Then we decided to move. I was certain the process would shake the thing out of hiding. After all, I had prayed an awful lot. God was on my side. Surely combing through every dark nook and clandestine cranny of our home would expose the renegade ring. But it didn't.

My last night in our house was spent alone, working against a book deadline into the wee hours, all the while praying, "God, please restore my ring." But he didn't.

The following morning, early, I met up with my husband and son. They had slept in spare beds at a friend's house; our beds were packed in a pod, already on their way to New York. Rat terrier in lap, I followed my family—one fully loaded car behind another—to the cable company's home office in Savannah, to drop off a rented router and cable box. It was our final stop before crossing the Tomochichi Bridge out of Georgia.

On my way back to the parking lot, I stopped in the ladies room. There, bathed in a shaft of light, resting on the counter next to the sink, was a silver ring. It was obviously costume, meant for a teen-age girl, not worth more than a few dollars. It was so well worn, I was sure it had been purposefully left behind; if not, of course, I would have turned it in to the lady behind the counter. The back of the band was raw, brassy metal, but the silver plated front—a five-petal flower, missing the (fake) gemstone that used to sparkle in its center—shone like the sun. I glanced heavenward with a chuckle. "Thank you, Jesus." I knew he wouldn't let me leave Savannah without a wedding ring.

With a smile and somewhat shaky fingers, I tried it on. And it fit. Perfectly.

I will not leave you desolate: I come unto you. ~ John 14:18 ASV

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