I love mother's rings and for years, wanted one of my own. A visible way to display to the world the wonderful family God had given--a dear husband; two wacky, much-loved sons...and then, of course, me, the pig-tailed little preacher's kid so grateful for God's goodness through the years. And one special day, the long-awaited gift was carefully chosen - a four-stone, lovely ring that I now wear with pride - never leaves my pinky finger - until last night...
Listen to this amazing story......
Yesterday, to my dismay, I learned I would need to have diagnostic testing that no woman wants to ever face - scheduled for this morning. It was a long, long day of stressful, anxious thoughts and prayers....furthest from my thoughts was that little mother's ring that never left my little finger....but God had other plans and a lesson He wanted me to learn.
And so late last night, I was barefoot runnin' around the kitchen before bed when I stepped on something tiny and sharp......no idea what it was, I kinda kicked it out of the way....too tired to investigate what kind of tiny trash had fallen on the floor.
This morning, before leaving for the medical clinic, my husband calls, "Come here. I just stepped on something sharp under my bare foot. Look!" You guessed it - IT WAS MY "MOTHER'S RING" - VERY expensive, very precious - and apparently, being a little loose, had unknowingly slipped off my finger. It could have easily slid under the fridge.......or it could have fallen off anywhere and never been found. Of course, I was grateful to God for the "find," but He wasn't through with me. I suddenly realized that He had just given me a visual message for the day and the coming medical appointment: "If I care enough for you to rescue this little piece of sentimental jewelry, I can take care of your physical problem!"
Amazing grace - thank You, Jesus! I felt a devotional coming on, you better believe it.......I wrote the essential outline below in the waiting room of that clinic, just this morning, before I knew the results...the words are my own, but I believe from the heart of God to yours this day...may I share it with you?
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You are My child!
Just as a mother loves her family, so do I love you. I am Your Heavenly Father - You are in My care and under My watchful eye. Nothing comes to you that has not first passed by Me......I know all and I can do all...it's My amazing grace--and it is yours today!
"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you (Isaiah 66:13 KJV)."
You are My treasured possession!
Just as you treasure that earthly mother's ring, so do I treasure you--and so much more. You are My prized possession, bought with the precious Blood of My Son. 'I will never leave nor forsake you' - you are ever in My care....all because of My amazing grace--and it is yours today!
"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine (Isaiah 43:1 KJV)."
You are encircled in My love!
Just as this little ring encircles your finger, so do I encircle you with My love, My joy and My peace. I MADE you - you belong to me, over-shadowed by the love of an omnipresent Father Who holds you close when you most need it, Who watches you when you may think you least need it, Who holds you in the shelter of strong, eternal arms. All because of grace...amazing grace...and it is yours this day!
Psalm 139: 1-24 (KJV)
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A mother's ring...A Father's love...and a message I will never forget.
Early this morning, a song had begun singing in my heart - or my mind - wherever songs sing......"It Is Well with My Soul" - and I knew a Father's love was telling me that I was His child, His treasured possession, His eternal "kid" for whom He had died.....And He is there for YOU too, this day, whatever You need. Be still and know your Father's love - and His amazing grace!
And oh - the medical results - how can I forget! The doctor smiled with calm assurance, "Everything's fine!" I left that clinic ready to do a jig.....i still may and it would be amazing - for I am whole, I am His - and it's all because of His amazing grace!
Prayer: "Thank You, Father, for Your amazing grace. I'm so glad I am Your child, Your treasured possession, surrounded by Your eternal love. Let it be mine in a special, personal way, this day, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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--Copyright 2011 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, Missouri. All rights reserved. Feel free to pass it on with this copyright line intact.
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