The footnote for this particular Bible verse explains that, Palestinian women received ten silver coins as a wedding gift. Besides their monetary value, these coins held sentimental value like that of a wedding ring, and to lose one would be extremely distressing (NIV Life Application Bible)

When was the last time you gave any thought to your wedding ring? I've been thinking about mine a lot lately because it is much tighter around my finger than it was 15 years ago! As I started to think about the fact that it was digging into my finger and possibly couldn't be removed at all, I thought, I'll wear it on my pinky finger for now. That way my ring finger can recover to its normal shape, allowing for a more accurate sizing my husband was in the same position with his ring.

As I thought about getting a new ring, I was surprised at all the feelings and thoughts that seemed to crowd around me. I was excited about the thought of buying new rings, but then, this ring was the one that was present on our wedding day. This ring was our witness what would I do with this ring if I were to replace it with a new one? I would have to save it somewhere, somehow, in a place where it wouldn't be forgotten.

I look at my ring and I am taken back to 1984 and all the happenings of that day in September when we were 45 minutes late for our wedding. I am taken back to when I was younger, thinner, and in happy anticipation of our forever time together. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day. Perfect.

Well, the idea of wearing the ring on my pinky finger wasn't such a good idea after all. Some days my hands were less swollen than others and my ring would slip off of my finger. But I was always able to retrieve it from the floor or the parking lot easily enough. I was reminded many times of the woman who would light her lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until her coin was found. The last time it happened, I was at my sister's house, and it fell into her heating grillwork on the floor. I was sure it was gone. My heart was pounding. I asked my sister in a very level voice if we could remove the grating. She said sure! We lose crayons and small toys down there all the time. Luckily, it was a very shallow duct. With relief I looked and there it was, all by itself, in the bottom of the duct. It was so tiny, so pretty, sparkling in the light. It represented the world to me. My husband's promise to love, honor and cherish me until death do us part. The community's promise to support us. Our families° promises to accept each of us. That ring got placed right back on my ring finger and has been there ever since. The decision will have to wait until another day.

Like anything that is with us all the time, our rings, our wedding vows, our spouses, can be taken for granted. We wear our rings to remind us, and anyone who sees them, of our promises to each other when life becomes too hard and too fast...or too tempting. Hopefully, our promises are carved on our hearts, the etchings growing deeper with time. But as a reminder to us, and a symbol to everyone else, our rings do speak a myriad of thoughts, feelings and commitments.

The word cringe has many definitions that could metaphorically apply to our marriage relationships. Both positively and negatively. See if any of these might apply to your marriage? At the end of these definitions is a prayer in response to these definitions.

1. A circular object, form, or arrangement with a vacant circular center.
2. A circular band used for holding, carrying, or containing something.
3. An enclosed, usually circular area in which exhibitions, sports, or contests take place.
4. An exclusive group of people acting privately or illegally to advance their own gain.
5. To put a ring in the nose of
6. To move, fly, or run in a spiral or circular course.
7. To hem in (animals) by riding in a circle around them.
8. To hear a persistent humming or buzzing
9. To be filled with sound
10. To test for quality by the sound it produces when struck against something.

Lord, fill any emptiness in our hearts with your perfect love. Hold us together though all our trials and temptations. Help us to work together and be supportive in situations where we could turn competitive. Grant us a generous measure of autonomy and togetherness so that we won't become too selfish or too needy. Heal any demanding spirit within us and bless us with patience and compassion. Help us to remain in the present and move on toward the future, so that we won't cling to the past. Remind us to give each other his or her own space, and to have faith in your perfect timing. Encourage us to rejoice in each other's togetherness and completeness. And, finally, Lord may others rejoice and be encouraged by our quality sound of love, a love that has been tried and tested and found to be true. Amen!