By Sheree Craig
In my younger years, boyfriends would present a promise ring to a long-standing girlfriend. The ring represented a promise of commitment, love for one another, and an outward appearance that you were “taken.” Next to wearing your jock’s jersey or letterman’s jacket, a promise ring was huge for a high school girl in love.
High school years did not come easy for me. I was socially awkward, the friend (not the girlfriend), and tried too hard to fit in. I would not want to relive my high school days; though, there is one span of time I would relive over and over and over, the moment he finally asked me to be his girlfriend. He is now my husband.
For a year I was the third wheel, the one staying up into the night talking on the phone with him, the one wishing to be his girlfriend, the one adoring his family, and the one feeling accepted by him. Once he realized how great it would be to have me as his girlfriend (wink, wink), he asked. Greatest day ever! He was the one I could turn to, laugh with, relax with, and just experience moments in life that were not tough. And then the day I will never forget occurred. . .
He took me to a very special restaurant, expensive might I add, and presented me with a promise ring! Of course, I accepted the ring and wore it proudly. I felt accepted, loved, and overjoyed.
Though situations separated us in life, I kept that promise ring. Lo and behold, we ended up at that same restaurant years later after our paths merged again. This time, he presented me with an engagement ring! Of course, I accepted, and I wore the ring proudly.
I still have that promise ring. It represents more than I can explain. At the end of the day, it means he kept a promise to me. Life took us down separate, tough roads; with God’s power, our roads merged again, and the promise was fulfilled. When I received that promise ring, I did not foresee our journey to be as it has been; but I believed the promise would remain. That is why I kept that ring near and dear to my heart even when we were apart for all those years. I had faith and hoped our roads would merge again. I loved this guy from the moment I met him.
Mushy love story, right? But I have another love story for you. I believe you can relate. The love story is between our Father in Heaven and us. He brings us to a special moment in life and presents the promise of Eternity. He offers love, grace, and peace. He never breaks his promise. He remains by our side through life.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Life can throw sharp daggers, separate us from God, and convince us His promise is broken. Life is full of trials that push against the Truth we know. The world remains broken. Dear friends, His promise will forever be fulfilled. He stands strong, walking alongside each of us, holding His hand out to help and guiding us with Truth.
I will forever remember the moment I accepted His Promise. His love, acceptance, and grace washed over me. I cannot explain in words the breaking of chains that occurred in that moment. I felt the heavy burden of life escape in that moment. I felt accepted, loved, and overjoyed. My faith remained in His Promises.
He offers His Promise to all. His desire is for us to accept Him into our lives. He will walk alongside, guide us through this life, and use us as vessels to help others come to know Him. Trust in Him and you will never be disappointed. Life will be tough, but His Promise of Eternity in Heaven remains.
Maybe the moment of acceptance has not happened yet for you. The world teaches us disappointment, distrust, and discouragement. We question the motives of others when they present us with a promise. We live in fear of being hurt. We build walls, hide behind them, and plummet forward each day. Take heart dear friends, God has overcome all of that. God does not disappoint. He encourages us while providing strength to face this world. He is the ultimate answer to all the brokenness in the world.
Hold on to His Promise dear friends. Eternal life with Him will come in His Timing. Trust Him. Invite Him into your every day, and shine His Light to others. The moment you accept Him, you will fall in love.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
