When I glance at the gold band adorning my wedding finger, I often forget it’s “birth.” For the past 23 and one half years, it has almost become synonymous with my finger. I no longer feel the sensation of a foreign object repetitiously rubbing against the skin of my pinkie. However, should I remove my ring for any reason, my hand immediately recognizes its absence.
Obviously, my wedding band symbolizes the union between my husband and I on August 7, 1993. The journey of marriage is not without it’s stormy seasons. Treading those waters is very real for us. Some storms arise out of situations we find ourselves in and attempt to unite in our battle; despite our different approaches. Other storms find their way in through a collision of fronts; resulting from sin weaving its way in to our hearts.
Regardless, the only way to ride out these potentially devastating seasons is through refinement. God attempts to shape us further into His image in order that we bear witness to Holiness in its pure form. The impurities of human nature are “burned away” so that the fruit of the Spirit glistens.
Ironically, our wedding bands symbolize the act of refinement. In an act of mutual creativity, my husband and I decided to create our own. Trekking to downtown Chicago, we purchased the wax molds in a beautiful old building. Because my husband’s uncle makes false teeth professionally, he purchased the gold; small refined metal nuggets. The process involved melting, sanding, and engraving; each of us creating the other’s.
Finally, what began as simple gold medallions became beautiful, personally crafted wedding bands. Tokens of the repetitive process of refinement by the One whose workmanship crafts beauty out of us.
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Beautiful. I love bands with a story. 🙂
Your post is beautiful. It causes me to think that really after all of God’s refining, we really don’t miss or notice the things he removed because we are left with so much better. I imagine your rings are quite lovely with all the love that was in the making.
Dropping by from FMF. Your kind of neighbor #65.
Have a great weekend! God bless you!
Thanks Kelly. I wanted to post a picture but I couldn’t capture one without a glare. I may keep trying so I’ll keep you posted.
What a fantastic story and take on the word. Marriage is definitely a way God can refine us, if we let him. Thanks for sharing the story of your wedding bands. I love it! – Lori, visiting from FMF #62
Thanks!
Stephanie, I’ve never heard of anyone making their own wedding bands from scratch! How special that is!
You’re so right. Marriage has done a lot of refining in me too. The whole idea of two lives becoming one requires a lot of change and growing in selflessness. And, when we allow that refining to shape us and burn away the dross, our relationships can reflect God’s beauty. Loved your take on this word!
Jeanne, Yes indeed!
What a lovely and beautiful idea, to create your own bands – there are so many layers of meaning in that! Marriage does teach us and refine us in so many ways, doesn’t it? Great post 🙂
What a great symbol and a wonderful way to use the word “refine.” Marriage is definitely a refining process: lots of “melting, sanding, and engraving.” Thanks so much for your post.
Jeannie (#28 in linkup)
Thanks Jeannie!
Oh Stephanie! They are beautiful!
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