At the end of last year I was at a Love After Marriage seminar/workshop to work on my marriage. While that doesn’t sound like great news, the truth is that from time to time in marriages we all run into problems—whether expected ones, unexpected ones, or ongoing persistent ones we just aren’t sure how to fix or get past. Sometimes newlyweds go to one simply so they can get a head start on having a healthy marriage, which is a great plan too. The workshop this weekend was pretty awesome, and God did a lot of really stunning things for everyone present. And while I could probably share so many different little things that God did, oneof a few stories in particular stuck out to me which I will share here.
After working through a lot of difficulty and getting major breakthrough through the course of the 3.5 day workshop, one couple decided to renew their wedding vows. Prior to this weekend they had been divorced once, remarried each other, and were heading down the same path of this-isn’t-working all over again. But God did something spectacular.
The ministry couple leading the event had them come up on stage (there were about 40 people present in total) to renew their vows, and even had a few audience members stand in as “best man” and “matron of honor”—but there was one small hiccup in the process. The wife didn’t have her wedding ring on and for whatever reason couldn’t find it. Oops.
But God.
The moment I heard her say “I don’t have a ring,” I suddenly knew I had the solution. I was wearing a simple metal ring with an ornamental design on it that was either a leaf or a feather depending on what the viewer thinks it is. I bought the ring a number of years prior and the moment I heard her say she needed a ring, I knew in my spirit that this one would fit her. I brought it up front, she tried it on, and it fit perfectly. During the short but very-cool ceremony (thrown together in under 5 actual minutes of time), a few people prophesied over the couple, so I decided to come up and explain the significance of the ring.
I had bought it an unknown number of years ago as a reminder to pray for miracles—and specifically miracles such as those that I write about in some of my books—gemstones, feathers, and one in particular I have been asking the Lord for, the manifestation of leaves from the Tree of Life. To me, this ring fitting her and being part of this moment of restoration signified that God was not only doing a miracle-work in their marriage, but that He was releasing a new measure of His life into it as well. I felt blessed that something so seemingly simple, giving someone a ring, could have so many levels of significance, and all of it was prepared in advance by our Heavenly Dad who cares so much more about us and our needs than we have any concept. He prepared the right ring years in advance so at the right time and in the right place it would fill its designated purpose—to help a couple enjoy the renewal of the lifelong work that He plans to do in and through them.
The brief ceremony was really special, and it was evident that God had done a work in both of their hearts to reconnect, reignite, and reinstate what the enemy had meant for their destruction. God is so kind, and so good!
If you are having marriage struggles, just want deeper intimacy with your spouse, or want to develop a healthier family culture, I can’t recommend Love After Marriage enough. Run by Nothing Hidden Ministries, they are all about helping people build the healthy, godly families God has planned for us. Whether dealing with problems, learning practical tools to bring the Holy Spirit into the midst of any conflicts, heal past hurts, or develop healthier relationships, this ministry has seen it all and God has used them to heal and restore hurting and broken families around the world. You don’t have to have earth-shattering problems (although they can help those too)—you just have to want to have a better marriage than you do right now, and God will show up and meet you. If you are married I encourage you to follow the link and sign up for a Workshop today (they have Single Life workshops as well!). Click to visit Nothing Hidden Ministries.
