Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The power of prayer

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This week, some friends and I threw a bridal shower for the daughter of another friend. Monday night, we got together at my house to make the party favors.

We laughed, we talked, we got it done.

The next morning, I received a call from one of my friends asking if she had left her rings behind. I hadn't noticed them, but searched the kitchen and living rooms to no avail. A few hours went by, a few more frantic calls, and I searched again.

What she was missing was her gorgeous diamond wedding ring (in and of itself a hugely valuable treasure), and a diamond ring that had been her grandmother's. One, mind you, that she had just been given at her mother's death a few weeks before.

I was sick. She was sick. I gladly went through disgusting trash bags and looked in every nook and cranny I could think of. Still no rings.

All day yesterday, I worried and fretted about them. I was devastated at the possibility that these beautiful treasures would be lost. The monetary value alone was enough to make one weep, but the sentimental value was irreplaceable.

And last night as I slept, I had a dream. In this dream, something came to my mind and I knew exactly where the rings were. I sat bolt upright in bed and instantly knew that she had slipped them off while we were working and put them in the pocket of the apron she had been wearing.

Baffled, I laid back down and went to sleep. After all, there were no pockets on that apron that I knew of. I figured my mind was reaching for any solution to this problem.

But when I woke up this morning, I felt compelled to at least check. I rifled through the laundry basket in the mud room where I had tossed our dirty aprons Monday night.

And lo and behold, tucked safely in the pocket of the apron, were the rings.

I immediately called my friend and felt her relief and joy reach out through the phone. She had spent the last few days tearing her own house apart, searching her yard, retracing every step. Heartsick, she prayed fervently to find them. She hoped that her sweet mother would whisper from heaven and help lead her to the rings.

I truly believe that her prayers came true.

I am in awe at the turn of events. It was not simply a matter of our continued searching that led us to the rings. It was not even dumb luck. I was told specifically in a dream where to find the rings, and they were in a place I didn't even know existed.

It was a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father, I have no doubt about that.

It reinforces to me that our prayers, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, are heard and answered.

And I just wanted to share this story in the event that you, like me, sometimes need a reminder of that.

24 comments:

D-dawg said...

I can't believe I"m the first one to read this. What a great post. We were just at a family reunion and my uncle shared a similar experience of being led through a dream to something he has desperately prayed for. The power of prayer is real! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder! Stories like this make it so much more real.

Jeanelle said...

My mom lost the beaters to her hand mixer and tore her entire kitchen apart then prayed and found them in the most random of places (fell down behind a drawer into a bowl or something.) I love that Heavenly Father answers the smallest and biggest of prayers. We are important to Him and I love hearing stories that remind me of that fact!

Jessica said...

I love feeling the spirit while I'm blogging! :) I love these stories that remind us that Heavenly Father is so intimately involved in our lives.

jessica said...

I BELIEVE!!!! I BELIEVE!!!! (Hands to the sky)

I know the power of prayer is real. Thanks for the neat story.

Jessica Rodarte said...

I'm not even joking when I tell you something similar happened to me. I had lost the anniversary ring my husband had just bought me. I had went been running around picking my daughters up from school, running errands, and thought, "It could be anywhere!" I prayed, too. A still, small voice said, "It's in the parking spot where you parked at Target." psshht. "Sure, it is," I thought. Even if it were, surely somebody picked it up and is happily wearing it by now. *sob*
I went back there almost hopelessly...
Guess where it was??!! I was so relieved and grateful.
I'm so glad you found her ring! He does answer our prayers!

Cynthia said...

Thanks for sharing - that is a wonderful reminder of help beyond what we can do ourselves.

Lauren said...

I love stories like this. Such a testament to the power of prayer.

Amanda D said...

I love this. Thanks so much for sharing. Thank heaven the rings were found!

Tracy said...

Wow! I love the way God works!!

Julie said...

Christie, you have no idea how much I needed to read this story today and be reminded of God's tender mercies. A thank you just doesn't seem to suffice, but it is all I can give. Thank you!

Karey said...

Loved this post. LOVED IT! I, too, have no doubt that He hears and answers prayers and he cares about us, so even if he doesn't care about rings, if we do, he does.

Thanks Christie.

danandcindy said...

How much did you charge her to get the rings back?

Taunya said...

Oh hooray! I know I get frantic and can't stop searching even when I misplace the simplest of items. And oh the joy and relief of finding that lost item. Phew!! I'm happy for you both. God is so good!

Lauren in GA said...

Oh, Dan. (I hate having to admit that his comment was funny)

What a wonderful story. I felt the Spirit as I read it. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. It made my heart happy...and I need reminders and appreciate them.

brooke said...

I believe too. Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I feel like my prayers are just hitting the ceiling but that has everything to do with my faith and nothing to do with what is really happening. I needed the reminder. Love the story.

Nurse Graham said...

I love how this story demonstrates that our Heavenly Father is concerned about all aspects of our life and things that are important to us. He shows His love by answering our prayers. And fortunately for me, He is willing to answer the same plea for finding the lost item (usually my car keys or wedding ring) over and over again.

Becky said...

Thank you for sharing that neat story! I loved it. Can I just tell you that our prayers are even answered when it's as dumb as a missing Netflix movie? True story... He is involved in the tiniest details. :)

3leftturns said...

Reclio

Sumaiya said...

God cares more about the diamonds that are misplaced by housewives in America than the children in Africa who lost their lives digging them up so that they could sit on your pretty finger.

Joy & Casey said...

LOVED THIS STORY!!! Thanks for sharing! Love you!

Stefani said...

This is alway a good reminder, and one I need right now as I've been pleading for things that are super important in my life. I sometimes want to hit my head on the wall waiting for answers, but you are absolutely right Heavenly Father hears and answers all prayers. Patience right?

And thanks for the reminder that I've been wanting to blog about my "miracle ring".

acannon2011 said...

Wow, awesome! That is incredible!

Paige said...

I lose and pray for things then find them so often that God knows one of His jobs is do be my personal assistant.

And damn, you just aren't praying hard enough for those kids in Africa.