January 2, 2012

Lesson Learned

My Engagement Ring.

I have had it for over 21 years.
In all that time I have only lost it once.

A few weeks ago.
For a whole week.
I, however, didn't know it was missing
until after six days.
(I wear my gold wedding band
all the time...it's the diamond ring
that I often go without.)

The Ring lives in a special
hiding place.
If it's not on my finger,
it's there.

Always.

Except for that time mid-December.
It wasn't.
When I discovered that it was missing
I prayed.

And then...
I had Howie take apart the plumbing
under the kitchen sink.
I sorted through six days' worth of garbage.
I sifted through a full vacuum bag.
I cleaned behind the fridge and stove.
Thoroughly.

Nothing.

We went to church on Sunday morning.
We listened to a wonderful sermon.
And I was distracted.
I tried not to be.

And then the Pastor had us
turn to Genesis 3:15.
Like he had the week before.

And there. was. my. RING!


Laying there.
Right where I had put it.
The week before.
Oh. My. Heart.

Yes, I did read my Bible that week.
In Isaiah.
In the New Testament.
But not in Genesis.

Moral of the story?
Do not play with your ring
in church.
Keep it on your finger.
And pay attention to the sermon!

Blessings,
Camille

12 comments:

Tami said...

Oh my! You had me on my toes as I didn't scroll down and see the picture until it was perfectly timed in your account. Ha! So happy for you that you found it! Happy New Year to you, friend. May the LORD bless you from the riches of His mercy and grace as you head into 2012!

Love to you!!
Tami

Lady Farmer said...

Yay! I love a happy ending to a story! AND now you have a very clean house ~ in places that you may not have planned to clean! (like the sink drain?!!)
Happy New Year, sweet friend!

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad you found it! I'll remember that lesson! : )

Nadine said...

Oh my...I am happy that you were able to find it!
Pat lost his wedding band several years ago, as he took it off when working with machinery at his job...it wasn't until we moved that we found it behind a piece of furniture. He hasn't taken it off since then! :)

Blessings!
~Nadine

Patty said...

I know it wasn't funny at all while it was missing, but I had to laugh at your comment about not playing with your ring in church. So glad you found it.

May 2012 bring you and your family a wonderful and blessed year.

Unknown said...

Camille, you are funny! I'm *so* glad that you found your ring... *so* glad! And I will remember your advice... no playing with rings during church, no playing with rings during church.... ; )

Maryann said...

Oh my goodness, so glad you found your ring. You tell a wonderful story, I am glad it had a happy ending.
Blessings

Ann at eightacresofeden said...

I am so glad you found your ring Camille and this reminded me of the story Jesus told about the lady who lost the coin or drachma which I understand would have been from a piece of jewelry. I also lost a ring my husband had bought for me, a lovely unusual silver and gold band made in Israel that I adored. It was missing for months and like you I turned the house upside down and went through the garbage (yuk!) but in that story was some very good advice. I had done the 'sweeping' part and the 'searching carefully' part but missed the first point - she shined a lamp! Isn't the Bible such a practical book - it helps us find missing rings! It was when I turned on the really bright heat lamp in the bathroom one day I noticed a glint down the side of the vanity unit - my ring!
Rejoicing with you!

Intentional Living Homestead said...

Wow...answered prayer....awesome. Thank you Lord.

Camille said...

Dear Tami ~ Thank you so much for entering into my joy and for the New Year wishes! May the LORD richly bless you and your family in 2012 as well! :)

Dear Raeann ~ LOL! You are right...the sink drain was NOT on the *list*...but, cleaning under the fridge and stove were! :)

Dear Lisa ~ Yes, do! LOL! I'm sure no one is as silly as me though. :)

Dear Nadine ~ How wonderful that Pat found it...and how extra wonderful that he keeps it on! You are blessed. :)

Dear Patty ~ I can laugh about it now...but it surely was nerve-wracking for that 24 hour period when I knew it was lost! :)

Dear Susan ~ LOL! I am sure you NEVER do! :)

Dear Maryann ~ Thank you my friend! I was so glad that it did too! :)

Dear Ann ~ What a story! Ahhh...yes, the LIGHT! What a blessing that you found that special ring. AND how fun that through these things we get some deep cleaning done hey? ;-)

Dear Connie ~ Yes, indeed...that I surely did do! The LORD is so Gracious with us, isn't HE? :)

Many blessings to you each one!
In HIS Love,
Camille

Sharon said...

Oh Camille,

My heart just sank when I read that you lost your ring. I have not experienced that and pray I don't. I was thankful to read that you did find it and when you said it was in Genesis all that I could think of was Genesis 2:18 :)

I am so glad that you found your ring!

Be blessed my friend!
Love,
Sharon

Camille said...

Dear Sharon ~ Oh how my heart sank too! There was a knot in my tummy for that whole 24 hour period. But, God is so Good to us and HE did give me a measure of peace about it all. Thank you for entering into my joy with me in the finding of it. Yes, indeed...we are meant to be that helpmeet aren't we? What a good reminder. :)

Love,
Camille