Yeah, you read it correctly. I lost my wedding ring. Here is the story.
This past Sunday my wife and I and some friends of ours drove to Brevard, NC to Pisgah National Forest. There is a sliding rock there. Not “The Sliding Rock,” but a smaller more fun sliding rock with less people.
By the time we arrived at the sliding rock it had begun to grow a bit cloudy, which made the already cold water even colder and my wedding ring a little bit looser. The second time down the rock I stretched out my left hand for support on a rock and to my horror felt my ring fall off my finger and into the moving current. I immediately told everyone what had just happened and tried not to make eye contact with my sweet wife. A 45-minute search began which produced nothing but blue lips and numb feet.
We continued our swimming and picnic, but couldn’t help expressing from time to time, “Bummer.” As we drove the two hours back home we tried to understand God’s purpose and rejoiced (as best we could) that the ring was replaceable and nothing worse had happened.
On Monday we toyed with the thought of going back up there, “Just to check and make sure we had done our best.” I really didn’t think it would matter but it wouldn’t hurt to try. A guy at Vanessa’s work offered us his metal detector that was waterproof. (Go figure) So Tuesday afternoon I decide, “Hey, It’s worth the try.” My boss agreed to let me take the afternoon off. I called my friends who had come the day I lost it and asked if they wanted to join me and they readily agreed. We headed up to Brevard knowing that God is in the business of bringing Glory to himself. Whatever way will do that the most, is the path He will take. Sure enough after five minutes of searching, a bottle cap, and a penny, my precious wedding ring was found. It was just sitting under four feet of water. Thanks to Fred, a guy I had never met, who spotted it first. Fred had lost his wedding ring once and he decided to help us look.
Praise the Lord. He is good. My friends and I had a great afternoon of sliding down the rock. It was more fun this time. Needless to say Vanessa was amazed and thrilled when I returned home with the symbol of our vows once again on my left hand. I honestly did not expect to find it. But He proved to me that day that He is the God of the little things, as well as the big.
Posted by micahellis at July 23, 2004 11:40 AMGreat story! How'd I miss that one? I'm glad you found it.
Posted by: Melissa Matos at July 23, 2004 02:38 PMmy daddy lost his ring one time, but it was because he put it on the opposite hand to remind him of something. it ended up at a mcdonalds or something like that and he called the owner and he told them where they had been sitting and the guy found it. to make sure it was daddy's the guy asked what was inscribed on the inside of the ring. it was a bible verse that was very dear to my parents in their courting years, and he told the guy. the guy asked what Ps stood for and my dad told him it was from the bible and got a wonderful opportunity to witness! i am so glad you were able to find your ring. what a blessing.
Posted by: hill at July 23, 2004 11:21 PMIsn't the Lord so phenomenal? An example yet again of the amazing favor He blesses us with daily. Ps. 28:7
Posted by: Rae Morris at July 24, 2004 11:47 AMPraise the Lord!
Posted by: JRC at July 25, 2004 02:37 PMMicha, great story and ending! I lost mine many many years ago in Lake George while swimming, we looked and looked. No metal detector for me (probably didn't have them way back then). I left my name and number in case it washed up on the sandy shore and someone found it and turned it in. Still out there somewhere! Replaced it and still on my finger since, 32 + years. Wow!
Take care and best wishes in your new job.
Brad
Posted by: Brad Morley, Butternut Graphic at August 3, 2004 10:29 AMwell, micah, it reminds me of the time when i was a child and i lost my fire truck, and i cried and cried until mom took me to the store and bought me a new one. it was almost as good as the one i lost and a lot cheaper. i hoped you learned your lesson though.
your brother
jon
Wow, Micah. What a great story! How encouraging that God proves himself great in the smallest of things.
Posted by: alison Gray at August 6, 2004 06:36 PMHeh! Just wait a few years- you won't be able to get it off that easily! :-)
Posted by: Greg Linscott at August 12, 2004 04:26 PMHey Micah,
I am glad you found your ring!!!! Hey it reminds me of the time when I lost your e-mail and wanted to get in contact with you but didn't know how. Could you please e-mail me. :)
Joel
Posted by: Joel at September 29, 2004 07:01 PMNearly the exact same thing happened to me! I lost mine in Greenlake here in Seattle. I spent 4 days looking for that ring and found it in 3 feet of water.
Providence can be a great thing and hard work is often rewarded.
The thought of driving by that lake over and over again, knowing my ring was in there was too much for me. I know it is just a symbol, but it is a symbol!
After I found it my wife suggested that I have it engraved, but I wasn't sure what to put on it. Phone numbers change, emails change. Then she said a registration would be great. SO she and I sat down and after a few months of work created: www.LostMyRing.com
Goes to show what a little hard work, desperation and prayer can accomplish!
Please, can I get to be in contact with Daniel Mantach.Thank you.His coments at January 30,2007 at this site.
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