It's a Ring Thing

I absolutely love rings. And bargains. I’m convinced that when the two converge, an angel gets her wings (or something equally mystical and wondrous happens).

This love affair began when I discovered the joys of cheap adjustable rings as a young girl browsing the gift shop on the wharf at Santa Cruz. From then on, the word Souvenir was spelled R-I-N-G in my dictionary. Years later I found eBay, where companies run promotional sales to lure jewelry lovers into their regular higher prices. Not me, sucker! I’m in and out faster than you can say, “That’s too much money, honey, I’m only here for the sale.” I’ve found some pretty fun rings along the way.

One of my favorite rings was missing the day I received word that my 36-year-old son was in the hospital in Dallas having brain surgery for an aneurysm. Lee’s brother, Philip, and I had about 15 minutes to pack before we caught a ride to the airport at Oakland, California, an hour from where we live. As I grabbed the necessities, I picked up a cosmetics bag: out fell the missing ring, a plain silver back that simply reads, PEACE. I told you I love rings.

Four days later, on Christmas Eve, Philip and I returned to California. The surgery was successful. The aneurysm and resulting stroke stole none of Lee’s physical or mental skills. It was a miracle, and will need to be a miracle that continues to unfold, since Lee has no benefits and can’t work for several months as he heals.

Back in California, I kind of went into shock as I processed the whole event. After a few days, I decided that the event deserved a ring reward, so off to eBay I surfed. I found a site selling inexpensive, attractive rings engraved with these words: “Be Still And Know That I Am God.” I ordered it immediately.

It felt like the U.S.P.S. held that package hostage, but the ring finally arrived. It’s a beautiful silver ring with a larger inscribed yellow gold band over it. The funny thing is this...the gold band spins around the silver band. I’m not sure how they make that happen, but it seems fairly ironic. The band that says “Be Still!” spins in circles around the band that has no choice.

I’d been pondering this awhile, trying to put my perception about the ring into words, when a friend and I watched the newest version of “Karate Kid.” The Teacher says to the Kid, “Being still is not the same as doing nothing.” Perfect.You see, every time I put my hand on the steering wheel of my Saturn—and the sun’s shining, so I can read!—my ring displays a different message that starts a divine conversation.

Be Still...Stop worrying. Just breathe.

...And Know...It’s not about having an empty mind, it’s about focus on the bottom-line truth that has never failed....

...That I... Not you, Joyce, Me. You are not God and you don’t have to have all the answers or even all the right feelings...

...Am God. Period.

My heart replies: Yes, You are, and You are so good, so faithful. Thank You that every good gift comes from You—including this beautiful eBay ring.

January 17, 2011