Ring-Giver

Starting school again Wednesday was a stinging slap in the face that woke me from the dream of Christmas break. Although not my favorite pastime, school definitely had its perks that day. During my Brit Lit class, we were being introduced to our next reading, Beowulf,  and informed of the background of that time and culture along with some of the colloquial diction, such as the word ring-giver. During the Anglo-Saxon period, this expression was used as a metaphor to identify a king or ruler, acquired from their tradition of a ruler giving their people a ring or band to symbolize and prove their loyalty to the citizens as well as granting these rings to soldiers returned from war for their sacrifice and loyalty to the country. As she’s explaining all this, I look down to take notes and catch a glimpse of the ring on my finger… a nail. 

Now, I know Jesus may not have physically given me this ring, BUT he does give it all of its meaning. His undeserved and never ending love and faithfulness represented by the band with no beginning and no end. The appearance of a nail for the sacrifice he made and pain he suffered so that we might live in the knowledge and acceptance of God’s grace. WHAT A GUY! Scripture tells us that even “if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is” (2 Timothy 2:13). HE CANNOT DENY HIS FAITHFULNESS!!! Though I’ve known these truths since my ears could hear them, sweet little reminders, even in the form of school lessons, are never overabundant and very appreciated here lately in the midst of my crazy schedule and inevitable doubt.  

Doubt has been something all too close to my heart these last couple months as I stress about raising money and reaching my goal for The Race. I forget way too easily just how faithful and CAPABLE my God is and have been relying strictly on my own ability to raise funds. Which is ironic because every talent and ability I have comes from him alone so I don’t know why I ever feel otherwise. A couple days ago God sent a gracious wake up call my way when I was counting all the money I have saved so far and, to my astonishment, calculated the final number to be close to SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! Nowhere close to where I need to be but so much farther than I was a few months ago. After a prayer and some apologetic tears, I promised him to rely fully on his strength alone and humbled myself to the point of accepting that I cannot do any part of life on my own and since I know this is his will for me, I know he will make a way for me. 

Jesus, ring-giver, THANK YOU. love ya