God is amazing! Last year after Judy and I had the blessing of going to Africa to see our daughter and son-in-law. On the way we read a book titles 'Radical' by David Platt. The experience of the two left us desiring to make some more radical changes in our lives. Almost as soon as we returned from Africa a good friend of mine called and asked if Judy and I would like to go to Israel. He said "Won't coast you a dime, I want you to go with me and my dad!" What a blessing! On this trip we read two more great books titled 'Not a Fan' and 'Red Letters.' The experience in Israel and these two books left us overwhelmed and willing to do even more radical things in our lives for the glory of God.
About fifteen years ago I purchased and 'Icthus' ring from James Avery. Everyone always comments on it, and James Avery had discontinued them shortly after I purchased mine. When we went to Africa Judy left all of her jewelry behind in Corpus. The Lord placed it in my heart that I should see if James Avery would make her one like mine, and we could replace her wedding ring with it. I contacted the office of James Avery and they told me that in 'rare' occassions Mr. Avery would do an out of production item for those who wrote to him with their request. I quickly typed out a letter to Mr. Avery and sent it off to see if he would produce one more of the discontinued rings so that Judy and I would have matching wedding rings. This might seem like a great idea to most, but I was not sure she would give up her wedding ring after 30 years of marriage for any other ring. Approximately three weeeks later I recieved a letter from Mr. Avery stating "This one time I will make an exception and make one for her, but only once." All I could think was "Thank you Jesus!" I placed the order and began praying in earnest that Judy would understand and that this idea the Lord laid on my heart would be her heart also. Several weeks after ordering the ring we finished 'Not a fan' with our church. Judy came in my office before a Bible Study and said she needed to talk with me. She looked at me and said "Would you mind if I take my wedding ring and have the baggets and bands to the jewler and just keep the gold band?" As I listened to her my heart was truly leaping. She also said that she wanted to 'sell' all of her other jewelry and send the proceeds to people in need in Africa (We were raising money to send to a Pastor in Kenya who in return purchased food with 100% of the funds to give to the refugges). After sharing this all with me she said "What do you think?" I simply turned ny chair around and printed out the letter I sent James Avery, and then the letter he sent me along with order. It was a glorious night! The ring came in about four weeks and she has proudly worn it ever since.
Before Judy's wing came in she took all of her jewelry to a jewelry store to palce on consignment. Judy shared with her story about her new ring and what we intended to do with the proceeds from the old with the young sales girl at the store. She was blown away, and God received the glory. All of this sounds good, but almost a year later only the least exspensive piece had sold.
Over the past several months Judy and I were discussing whether or not we need to take the jewelry to another plac eof consingment. As days past we forgot until last Thursday. Judy told me that the young lady had called her and said "All your jewelry has sold, you have a check for $4,500.00 here waiting for you!" We were elated to say the least.
Yesterday Judy went and picked up her check finally. Around 3:00 she received a phone call from some of our dearest friends asking us if we would like to go to dinner with them at 4:45. Judy said 'yes' of course and we anxiously waited for our friends to arrive (we don't get enough together enough and we always look forward to seeing them. When they arrived they told us that they had a house warming present for us. They carried a box in and placed it on our table. She quickly pulled out some awesome air freshener, and other items for the house. The she also handed Judy a new purse and said "This is totaly Judy with all the colors." She told Judy to open the purse because she had a few other things for her. The first box had some beautiful pearls, and the next, beautiful diamond earings, and Judy began to cry (Got pretty emotional). As she continued to open each box she realized her dear friend had been the one who purchased all of her jewlery, and wanted her to have it back. Every peice of Judy's jewelry were pieces that I ha pruchased for her over the years. Each one had a story behind them and a special purpose and meaning on our lives. Her friend loves the Lord, and loves us too... She did add that there was one other catch though "Judy could not sell them."
You see, God is amazing. I am not sharing this story for any reason except that God gets the glory. God knew that every piece of jewelry had significant purpose and meaning in our lives. They were all special gifts that will always have meaning of our journey in life together. One example of significance was that her diamond earrings were for her first year of sobriety. God in His foreknowledge knew that our hearts would be willing to give up monitary things with sentimental meaning to help those who were less fortunate. Without Jesus neither of us would have. God also knew that a good friend would take us to Israel as part of softening our hearts to prepare us for sacrifice. And God also knew that through our dear friends He would show us the love of Christ, and their love for us as we willingly surrender our lives each day for Him. God is faithful~
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