Was lost, but...

It happened on the plane. I was taking a quick stretch break during the stopover when the flight attendant came up to me. "Did you lose a bracelet?" he asked.

"No, I wasn't wearing one." I thought to myself.

But I'm sure a look of horror appeared on my face when I sub-consciously glanced down at my hands. It wasn't a cheap plastic bracelet I lost, it was my ring. 

Dad had given me the beautifully engraved purity ring only a couple months prior. I loved it, and it was a constant reminder to me of both my earthly father's love and my Heavenly Father's love, among other things.

A gift from my earthly father, who loves me very much

But now? What had I done? I believed I had it on when out plane had taken off. After that, I fell asleep, woke up, and then it was gone. I was bewildered. Even I couldn't believe it!

Much to their credit, the airline personnel did what they could to help me, but to no avail. I spent the final leg of the plane ride agonizing.

Beside filing a Lost Item Report when I got home, I decided to add "Find My Ring" to my prayer journal. I might have had quite a bit of faith to start with, but it steadily dwindled each passing day.

Then I finally attacked the chore of unpacking my suitcase. I sat down and folded the piles of clothes, the clean ones, that is. After dumping the dirty ones in the hamper, the suitcase almost looked like what it did before it began the adventure. 

I unzipped the side pockets and pulled out the small miscellaneous items hidden there. About to stow away the empty luggage case, I checked the last pouch. In the deep recesses of fabric, there lay something. Something shiny. Something silver. Something... like my ring? I pulled it out and there it was. I was overjoyed!

Then I woke up. So it was a dream? More flustered than ever, I didn't know what to do. I must confess that I did check the pouch of my luggage, and lo and behold, nothing was there. Should I just keep praying? I'll admit my faith was dissipating quickly, but I did continue praying. 

Then the Lost Item Report came back with a message.

"We are sorry to report that, despite our best efforts, our search for your lost item was unsuccessful, and the report is now closed."

Many months passed, and though I still prayed, there were days when I thought I should just cross out the "Find My Ring" page from my prayer journal.

One morning, I opened my Bible to so my devotions. Honestly, I didn't want to. I was angry at a particular person and I couldn't bring myself to read my Bible.  So I just sprawled on the floor, bitterness boiling inside of me.

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw something. From the angle I was at, I couldn’t tell if it was my ring, an ordinary key chain ring, or simply a mirage. Unable to contain my curiosity, I quickly grabbed it.

It was a ring. But unlike mine, it was gold in color. And studded with these glimmering things.

I stood up. Was this real? I didn’t know. I put it on my finger. Of course it fit.

I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness. He is too good to me. He didn’t abandon me when I abandoned Him. Instead, He showed me His love in a way I never imagined.

And the ring? It was real, and it’s mine now:)

My devotions? My Bible was filled with more meaning, more depth, more “real-ness” than I ever knew.

Oh, and the bitterness I held? God enabled me to resolve it. How can you hold a grudge when God has done something like that for you?

A gift from my Heavenly Father, whose love I cannot comprehend