“I have found the piece which I had lost”

Right off the start, I need to acknowledge that it was merely a ring that I lost. Granted it was my wedding ring, but it was still just a ring. Every single day people all around me face real challenges that make a ring seem like a tiny piece of jewelry – which it is.

Yesterday, after I wrote the post about losing the ring, mostly to co-opt pity and use it for an opportunity to make a small analogy, the comments started rolling in. They were sweet, and kind. Precious little snark, and many offers of prayers on my behalf. I found myself feeling sheepish and grateful at the same time. I thank all of you for your sincere concern, and your prayers, and invite you to be happy with me over this relatively small thing.

But I am happy, and I do feel blessed.  Here is how it went down:

After I realized my ring was gone, I immediately began the mental process of retracing my steps. Where had I gone? What had I been doing? Did I hear it fall? When and where did I change my clothes?

I am rather expert at the whole “retrace your steps” kind of thing. My kids hate it when I put them through those paces, but it usually works. Dad is the king of finding things.

It was at this point I prayed. It was a simple prayer: “Heavenly Father, please help me find this ring. It isn’t that valuable, but it is important and symbolic to me. In exchange, I promise to donate two of my sons to the charity of your choice.”

OK, I made the last part up, but the first part was sincere.

I then called my EC and my sister to have them check where I had been in their respective houses. No luck. Not in the car, my truck, my office, my garage, or anywhere.

Next, I started contacting friends that I thought might have access to a metal detector, or might know someone who does. No luck, but good wishes.

Next morning, one of my friends in the ward had tracked down a sister in the ward who had one. I called her and arranged to pick it up. She was so very helpful and kind.

I left work, and grabbed my eldest son to go with me. He has been through this exact same thing before, and emerged with his ring that he lost in centerfield during a softball game – by using a metal detector the next day.  I figured that he was well-qualified for the job.

We headed back to my sister’s house. I went immediately to the curb where we parked the night before, in case it had fallen out of my pocket when I retrieved my keys. Nothing.

We walked down the street to the park where we held the egg toss. It had a large grass field – about the size of a football field. And I had been all over that field. We were, indeed, looking for a little round needle in a sea of bermuda grass.

To my horror, I saw fresh lines on the field: It and been mown sometime on Monday. Somebody with a giant lawnmower had actually cut the grass, and probably scooped the ring up with the clippings. My hopes were fading fast.

I had perviously decided on where to focus the search, and walked straight to where the place I last remembered having my ring – a place where I had been standing during one of the contests. My son turned on the metal detector, and within 15 seconds  the machine started beeping at us.

You have got to be kidding me.

But there was no ring. Whatever it was that triggered the beep was not to be found. My hope for a rapid miracle faded. I wandered off to try and catch a lucky glimpse of reflected light in the grass.

Less than five minutes later, my son yelled “Found it!”

I thought he was joking, but turned to see him holding my ring for me to see. Five minutes. I was amazed. It was so unlikely to find it, but especially that quickly. I had blocked out two hours for the search.

We rejoiced, and celebrated by going to Taco Bell for a Quesarito.

I know it was only a ring, but it was important to me. I believe I was blessed.

 

Application:

Some Suggested Steps to Finding That Which Was Lost

1)  Recognize that something is missing.

2) Ponder – think back to when you last had it.

3) Pray

4) Enlist the help of family.

5) Enlist and accept the prayers of others on your behalf.

6) Enlist the help of those in your ward who have access to the right tools for the job.

7) Use those tools.

8) Don’t do it alone – turn to the son that has a personal understanding of your problem.

9) Put aside whatever else you are doing and get to work.

 

Those steps worked for finding my ring. I recommend them for finding more important things as well. Try working through those same steps looking for lost faith, or a lost testimony, and you will be surprised at your success.

 

 

 

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