Last week we had a story about a wedding ring that was not found until many years later. Today we will tell a story about a ring that was lost and found again.
Mr. and Mrs. Fleming and their family lived in one of the larger cities in the northwestern states. One hot summer day a group of Christian families decided to pack a picnic supper to go, after working hours, to a nearby lake to enjoy the water and cooler air. The children agreed it would be a great way to get cooled off.
Everyone arrived at the lake in good time and found a suitable picnic spot. Soon the children were running and playing on the grass. The smaller children found the swings, while the older young people and grownups took to the water to cool off in a hurry.
Mrs. Fleming became not only the one in charge of a few toddlers, but also the ring-bearer of those who went for a swim. It was fun to have such a variety of rings on so many of her fingers.
After everyone had cooled off it was decided that it was time to start the charcoal fires, and everyone was hungry, especially the children. The women came out of the water to dry off, get dressed and claim their rings before getting the food ready.
To Mrs. Fleming’s awful surprise Mrs. Potter’s diamond ring was missing! Soon the alert was passed around, and instead of getting the food ready, everyone crawled in every direction on hands and knees, combing the grass and sifting through the sand with their fingers, hoping to find the lost ring.
The sun was setting in the west and soon it would be too dark to see. Mrs. Fleming remembered shaking the sand out of the blankets and thought that the ring may have slipped off her finger at that time. She also knew that the Lord Jesus, who knows all about us, knew exactly where that ring was. She prayed, asking the Lord Jesus to direct her eyes to the exact spot. Scarcely were the words spoken in silence... when there before her eyes she saw something sparkle in the already-fading sunlight. It was the ring, almost buried in the sand.
What rejoicing there was among the group! The lost ring had been found! Mrs. Fleming and Mrs. Potter hugged one another in relief.
Then the whole group thanked the Lord Jesus for answering their prayers. Once more they had proved the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness to some of His children. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15).
Do you think to ask the Lord’s help when you have a problem? He always listens to an honest cry for His help. And in His wisdom He often answers those prayers in remarkable ways. “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:2424And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24).
ML-12/25/1988