God said to buy a ring for my future daughter-in-law

God said to buy a ring for my future daughter-in-law

Nine years ago, we visited Cullinan diamond mine in South Africa from where some of the biggest and most valuable diamonds in the world have been found, including some currently in the British crown jewels. On completing the tour, which ends, inevitably, at the shop, I saw a lovely dress ring in a display cabinet. It caught my eye with its six white stones (not diamonds!), interwoven with black crystals, which provided a beautiful contrast. 

The next day, during worship at our friends’ church, I felt God tell me to go back and buy it; that it was a prophetic ring for my future daughter-in-law. Did I imagine that prompting? I have an engagement ring, wedding ring and eternity ring, which my three daughters will inherit in due course. I realised that in this new ring, the six white stones represented the members of our family, and that the yet-to-be-met daughter-in-law would, when she came on the scene, be both a contrast to us and enhance our relationships, weaving herself around us beautifully to the benefit of both. On returning to Cullinan, I had a slightly surreal conversation with the vendor as I tried the ring on and explained that it wasn’t actually for me, but for my daughter-in-law. “Oh,” the man asked, “is she going to come and try it?” I swallowed hard as I said: “Well, she’s not here right now” – absolutely true! – “but she’ll be along soon.” I had no idea what ‘soon’ might mean, but was confident that God had spoken and was preparing me for her arrival at some point. 

In August this year, my son married his wonderful Zulu fiancée, Gilly, near Durban in South Africa. It was a fantastic celebration of God’s goodness and faithfulness in bringing them together (a story in itself). All the parents were invited to speak, and I told the story of the ring. Unbeknown to me, it turns out that Gilly a) loves black stones – they’ve been her favourite since childhood, and b) has always wanted some kind of family heirloom – there have been none in her Zulu family until now. The ring has become a testimony to the goodness, kindness and faithfulness of God. I’m so glad I responded to that unusual prompting.

Jenny

Healed of depression

The last few years have been very difficult physically, mentally and emotionally. I was struggling with depression and fatigue and it became almost debilitating. I am a wife and mum of a toddler, and I was working at what often felt like 25 per cent of my capacity, barely ticking the boxes. I had to simplify my life and step out of a lot of my ministry commitments.  

During that time God was faithful, even though I didn’t get immediate healing from depression. He brought the right people into my life, encouragement from his word and the tools from Bible courses, which gave so much emotional healing in my life, so I actually experienced a lot of healing from things I hadn’t been able to get free from previously. 

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was asleep and was woken up by what sounded like a doorbell, which was crystal clear but it wasn’t ours. I lay in bed for a while, and then suddenly realised that it was Jesus trying to speak to me. So I got out of bed, and went into the sitting room where I sat with a chair opposite me. I starting having a conversation with Jesus, as if he was sitting there with me. I felt he led me to John 14:27, which talks about peace, where he said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” From there he led me to the passage on abiding in John 15. Verse after verse he was speaking to me about abiding. It requires pruning, but if you stay connected to the vine, everything we each need – joy, healing, strength – is in the vine. As I was reading, I felt I was being delivered from depression by the word and by the presence of Jesus. 

Just before Jesus was arrested, he said to his disciples: “Rise, Let us go!” (Matthew 26:46). It was like the Holy Spirit highlighted that to me and said: “It’s time to go.” From that moment I have had a supernatural peace and strength that I haven’t felt in so long. I have been able to take on ministry tasks again, and I feel so clear on what I need to put my hands to. I am just so grateful that the depression is gone. However, a few days ago I suddenly felt a familiar heaviness, and I starting feeling anxious so thought: “Oh no Lord, am I going back?” In that moment I went to my journal and started praying, while reading truth. God reminded me of his faithfulness decade after decade in my life. Then I read the devotional for that day, and it spoke directly to depression, that it can be circumstantial, and doesn’t have to go on forever. After that, the life and freedom flooded in. I realise abiding is a constant daily thing and that is how God has brought my healing. I am so grateful I have my life back!

Anja

Healed through touching my mum 

A few months before I was due to marry I had a profound healing experience, which drew me back to Christ and revealed his love and care for me in a way that only he can. I had developed appendicitis, but, following in my mum and brother’s footsteps, I didn’t display the usual symptoms, so the doctors delayed performing surgery. By this point, my appendix had burst and I went on to develop peritonitis, which is a severe complication. The medical staff couldn’t seem to control it, even with copious amounts of IV antibiotics, and very quickly, the situation became life-threatening. I remember lying in my hospital bed, scared, doubled up in pain and praying for God to help me. I was only 24 and had my whole life ahead of me. I heard a clear voice saying: “Get you mum, you need your mum.” It was in the days before flexible visiting times, so I wasn’t sure the staff would allow it. However they obliged, and what seemed like a very short time later, she was by my bedside. What happened next, I will never forget. I reached out my hand and as she touched it, I felt a power being released that travelled up my arm and throughout my whole body. Within minutes, the pain was gone. I was able to sit up, then stand and then walk – the first time in weeks! Before I knew it, I was walking around the ward, to the astonishment of the staff, my mum and the other patients! 

What I later learned was that my mum and her dear friend were in prayer that morning when they received that call from the hospital! How God orchestrates his plans for our lives and puts the right people there at the right time to fulfil his purposes and for his glory. It reminds me of Psalm 41:3: “The Lord sustains [me] upon [my] sickbed. In [my] illness, You restore [me] to health” (NASB). 

Linsey 

What’s your story?

Testimonies are an important way of encouraging each other in faith and we’d love to hear your personal experiences of God, whether that’s a miracle story or Jesus standing with you in the storm. 

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