Hoofstuk 13 “‘n Simbool van My Liefde”

“My Beloved is mine, and I am His”
—Song of Solomon 2:16

“My beminde is myne, en ek is syne”
—Hooglied 2:16

 

When I knew that the divorce was going to go through this time, knowing He had been preparing me, and it was God’s perfect plan for my life, I knew that I was going to need a new set of wedding rings. So I began to ask the Lord to show me what He had planned for me to wear.

Toe ek geweet het dat die egskeiding hierdie keer gaan deurgaan, wetende dat Hy my voorberei het en dat dit God se perfekte plan vir my lewe was, het ek geweet dat ek ‘n nuwe stel trouringe gaan nodig hê. Daarom het ek die Here begin vra om my te wys wat Hy vir my beplan het om te dra.

First, I was led to explain it to my husband, reminding him of RMI’s principles: that once we were divorced, I would no longer wear the wedding rings he gave me, but would purchase another set to wear. And that the reason I was going to continue to wear a wedding ring after the divorce, was to show others that I was not available, and that I was not interested in attracting another man.

Eerstens was ek gelei om dit aan my man te verduidelik en hom aan RMI se beginsels te herinner: dat sodra ons geskei was, ek nie langer sy trouringe sou dra wat hy vir my gegee het nie, maar ‘n ander stel sou koop om te dra. En die rede hoekom ek sou voortgaan om ‘n trouring te dra na die egskeiding, was om vir ander te wys dat ek nie beskikbaar is nie, en dat ek nie belangstel om ander mans te lok nie.

Though I was “reminding” my husband of the principles (that he basically knew since I led Bible RYM and WW Bible studies five years in our church), I would encourage you to share this and other principles with your spouse when times like these surfaces. Basically, explaining that you are learning through “a ministry you joined” without telling him/her that your desire, if it is, to restore your marriage. You, too, can tell your spouse that the ministry is helping you understand the mistakes you made in the marriage, and that you’re taught never to look at what your spouse was doing or are doing. And that one of the ministry’s goals is to help the person become a better marriage partner so that their separation and/or divorce is a better experience for their spouse or ex-spouse than the marriage was for them.” Much more of this is covered in RMI’s Be Encouraged videos that I would encourage you to get and watch over and over again as I did. Had it not been for me watching them as often as I did, I am sure I could not have done a fraction had Erin not laid a foundation for us to travel on and build on to.

Alhoewel ek my man aan die beginsels “herinner” het (wat hy basies geken het, aangesien ek vir vyf jaar HJH en WV Bybelstudies by ons kerk gelei het), sal ek jou aanmoedig om dit en ander beginsels met jou eggenoot te deel wanneer tye soos hierdie opduik. Basies, dat jy besig is om te leer deur ‘n “bediening waarby jy aangesluit het,” sonder om vir hom van jou begeerte, as dit is, te vertel om julle huwelik te herstel. Jy kan hom ook vertel dat die bediening jou help om die foute wat jy in jul huwelik gemaak het te verstaan en dat jy geleer word om nooit te kyk na wat jou eggenoot gedoen het, of doen nie. En dat een van die bediening se doelwitte is om die persoon te help om ‘n beter huweliksmaat te word sodat hul skeiding en/of egskeiding ‘n beter ondervinding vir hul eggenoot, of eks, sal wees as wat die huwelik vir hul was. Baie meer hieroor word gedek in RMI se Be Encouraged-video’s wat ek jou sal aanmoedig om te kry en oor en oor te kyk, soos ek gedoen het. As ek hulle nie so dikwels gekyk het soos wat ek gedoen het nie, is ek seker ek sou nie ‘n fraksie kon gedoen het as Erin nie ‘n fondament gelê het vir ons om op te reis en op voort te bou nie.

Unlike the first time I faced divorce, the Lord showed me this time when facing divorce, that I was always to take the offensive rather than the defensive position whenever I could, which is why He led me to explain to my husband that I would not be wearing his wedding rings after the divorce. Taking the offensive, as I mentioned earlier, does not mean being aggressive, but taking the spiritually offensive, rather than a spiritually defensive position (cowering or hiding due to fearing what is coming next). I needed to step forward, as the Lord led, whenever He opened the door for me. He reminded me that we are the “head and not the tail” and brought this verse to my mind:

“The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully” (Deuteronomy 28:13).

Anders as die eerste keer toe ek egskeiding in die gesig gestaar het, het die Here my hierdie keer gewys dat wanneer ek kon, ek altyd die offensief moes neem, eerder as die verdedigende posisie, dit is hoekom Hy my gelei het om aan my man te verduidelik dat ek nie sy trouringe na die egskeiding sou dra nie. Deur die offensief te neem, soos ek vroeër genoem het, beteken nie om aggressief te wees nie, maar om die geestelike offensief te neem, eerder as die geestelike verdedigende posisie (terugdeins of wegkruip as gevolg van vrees vir wat volgende kom). Ek moes vorentoe loop, soos die Here gelei het, elke keer as Hy die deur vir my oopgemaak het. Hy het my herinner dat ons die “kop en nie die stert” is nie en het my aan hierdie vers laat dink:

“En die Here sal jou die kop en nie die stert maak nie, en jy sal net boontoe en nie ondertoe gaan nie as jy luister na die gebooie van die Here jou God wat ek jou vandag beveel om te hou en te doen” (Deuteronomium 28:13 AFR 53).

Dear reader, when you speak to your spouse about continuing to wear a set of wedding rings, not the ones representing your marriage with them, it may set you up for your spouse to tell you that you need to date, find someone yourself, and move on. And if you are not spiritually and emotionally prepared, it can be very painful! So be sure you spend a lot of time being loved by the Lord, (possibly fast) and continue telling the Lord that He is all you want, He is all you need, that (ladies) He is your Husband, and you are His bride! Say it over and over again every day while asking the Lord to open the opportunity to speak to your husband about your rings.

Liewe leser, wanneer jy met jou eggenoot praat oor die voortgesette dra van trouringe, nie die wat jou huwelik aan hulle verteenwoordig nie, mag dit jou opstel vir jou eggenoot om jou te vertel dat jy moet uitgaan, iemand vind en aanbeweeg. En as jy nie geestelik en emosioneel voorbereid is nie, kan dit baie pynlik wees! So wees seker jy spandeer baie tyd saam met die Here sodat Hy jou kan liefhê (vas indien moontlik) en hou aan om vir die Here te sê dat Hy al is wat jy wil hê, dat Hy al is wat jy nodig het, dat (dames) Hy jou Man is, en dat jy Sy bruid is! Sê dit oor en oor, elke dag terwyl jy die Here vra om die geleentheid oop te maak om met jou man te praat oor jou ringe.

“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:13-15).

“Wie sal julle kwaad aandoen as julle julle beywer vir wat goed is? Maar selfs as julle sou ly omdat julle doen wat reg is, moet julle dit as ‘n voorreg beskou. Moenie vir mense bang wees of julle laat afskrik nie. In julle harte moet daar net heilige eerbied wees vir Christus die Here. Wees altyd gereed om 'n antwoord te gee aan elkeen wat van julle ‘n verduideliking eis oor die hoop wat in julle lewe” (1 Petrus 3:13-15).

Before I spoke to my husband, the Lord reminded me that the gold wedding band that I wore, I had actually purchased myself. Right after our restoration, my husband had given me a thin wedding band, but it broke several times (which later, after my divorce, I felt may have been a sign of broken vows and promises?). One time when picking it up from our jeweler, the man told me that I needed to purchase one of their rings that they guaranteed would never break. I purchased it, and never broke again!

Voordat ek met my man gepraat het, het die Here my daaraan herinner dat ek eintlik vir myself die goue trouring gekoop het. Net na ons herstel het my man vir my ‘n dun trouring gegee, maar dit het paar keer gebreek (wat later, na my egskeiding, vir my soos ‘n teken van gebreekte geloftes en beloftes mag gevoel het?). Een keer toe ek dit by die juwelier gaan optel het, het die man vir my gesê dat ek een van hulle ringe moes koop, wat hulle waarborg nie sal breek nie. Ek het dit gekoop en dit het nooit weer gebreek nie!

So when the Lord opened the door for me to share about wearing my rings, I told him that even though we were in the midst of getting a divorce, that I would wear the set he had given me until the divorce was final, then switch to a new set.

So, toe die Here die deur vir my oopgemaak het om met my man te praat oor die dra van my ringe, het ek vir hom gesê dat alhoewel ons in die middel van ‘n egskeiding was, ek die stel wat hy vir my gegee het sou dra tot die egskeiding finaal was en dan sou oorslaan na ‘n nuwe stel.

I told him that since I had bought the band myself that I would continue to wear the wedding and then find some sort of diamond (probably something not real) to wear with it. Then, I knew what was coming next—he told me I needed to find someone new! But because I was prepared, I was able to explain (again) that I was so happy now, that I had proven (to myself) that I had not been a good wife to him (so why should I subject anyone else having to have me as a wife), and that I wanted to be able to devote my love and my time to our children.

Ek het vir hom gesê dat aangesien ek die ring self gekoop het, ek sou voortgaan om die ring te dra en dan ‘n tipe diamand soek (waarskynlik nie ‘n regte diamand nie) om saam met dit te dra. Ek het geweet wat volgende kom—hy het gesê ek moet iemand nuuts vind! Maar omdat ek voorbereid was, kon ek (weer) verduidelik dat ek nou so gelukkig was, dat ek (aan myself) bewys het dat ek nie ‘n goeie vrou vir hom was nie (so hoekom moet ek iemand anders blootstel om my as ‘n vrou te hê) en dat ek my liefde en my tyd aan ons kinders wou wy.

But before he entered into the “moving on” suggestion, because I took the offensive position and approached him about his permission to continue to wear my rings until the divorce was final, and then to switch to a new set, he told me that he wouldn’t mind if I wore “his” rings forever. I thanked him but told him it would probably be better for me to remove it and put it in our safe deposit box. I am sure by rejecting his offer, he was hurt and wanted to hurt me back. So when that thought came to mind, rather than retreat or cringe, I told the Lord I needed Him to get me ready.

Maar voordat hy by die “beweeg aan” voorstel kon uitkom, omdat ek die offensiewe posisie ingeneem het, en hom genader het vir sy toestemming om voort te gaan om my ringe te dra todat die egskeiding finaal was en dan oor te skakel na ‘n nuwe stel, het hy gesê dat hy nie sou omgee as ek “sy” ringe vir ewig dra nie. Ek het hom bedank, maar vir hom gesê dat dit dalk beter vir my sou wees om dit af te haal en in ons kluis te sit. Ek is seker hy was seergemaak omdat ek sy aanbod verwerp het en wou my terug seermaak. So toe daardie gedagte by my opgekom het, eerder as om terug te trek of inmekaar te krimp, het ek vir die Here gesê ek het Hom nodig om my gereed te kry

In the meantime, just a few weeks later, after praying about where I would find the ring He had for me, I envisioned a local department and I assumed He was showing me the $10 rings that looked so real. I thought how great, and planned to pick up at least two, maybe three of them, to wear depending on the occasion. I figured that women don’t really remember other women’s settings, so this would work out really well.

Intussen, net ‘n paar weke later, nadat ek gebid het oor waar ek die ring sou vind wat Hy vir my gehad het, het ek gedink aan ‘n plaaslike kettingwinkel en het aangeneem dat Hy vir my die $10 ringe gewys het wat so eg lyk. Ek het gedink hoe wonderlik en het beplan om ten minste twee te koop, miskien drie, om te dra afhangende van die geleentheid. Ek het gereken dat vroue nie regtig ander vroue se ringe onthou nie, so dit kon baie goed werk.

When I got there, I found only one ring that would work as a wedding ring, but even though it said it was my size, it just did not fit. For a brief second my heart sank. I knew I did not have the time to shop for a ring. So I began to pray in the Spirit asking Him to show me where my ring was, and immediately I spotted a beautiful ring in a case that was marked 85% off.

Toe ek daar kom kon ek net een ring vind wat sou werk as ‘n trouring, maar al het dit gesê dit is my grootte, het dit nie gepas nie. Vir ‘n oomblik het my hart gebreek. Ek het geweet ek het nie die tyd gehad om ‘n ring te soek nie. Daarom het ek in die Gees begin bid en Hom gevra om my te wys waar my ring is en dadelik het ek ‘n pragtige ring in ‘n kas gesien wat 85% afgemerk was.

Though it was beautiful and fit me perfectly, I still hesitated to buy a ring like that for myself. But then the saleswoman spoke up and said that I had 90 days to return it if I didn’t want it. So, in faith, I purchased it, but told my children who were with me that I was probably not going to keep it. When all of a sudden, I remembered that I needed to pick up some printing for an upcoming Bible study.

Alhoewel dit pragtig was en perfek gepas het, het ek nog steeds gehuiwer om so ‘n ring vir myself te koop. Maar toe het die verkoopsdame gepraat en gesê dat ek 90 dae gehad het om dit terug te bring as ek dit nie wou gehad het nie. So, in geloof het ek dit gekoop, maar ek het vir my kinders, wat saam met my was, gesê dat ek dit waarskynlik nie gaan hou nie. Toe onthou ek skielik dat ek drukwerk moes optel vir ‘n komende Bybelstudie.

This however, did make me cringe after I had just paid for my ring, since I knew the printing was for a large group of about 200 women who had signed up. When I got there, just about to pay for the copies, seeing the huge amount I was about to pay for, the sales lady said, “Oh, wait…There used to be a code I put in for our ‘valued’ customers, months ago, that took 15% off the price.” I said, “Well, why not try” knowing that 15% would save me a LOT of money!

Dit het my egter laat inmekaar krimp nadat ek pas vir my ring betaal het, aangesien ek geweet het die drukwerk was vir ‘n groot groep van omtrent 200 vroue wat ingeskryf het. Toe ek daar kom en net op die punt was om te betaal vir die kopieë, die groot bedrag wat ek gesien het ek moes betaal, het die verkoopsdame gesê: “O, wag…daar was altyd ‘n kode wat ek vir “gewaardeerde” kliënte ingesit het, maande gelede, wat 15% van die prys afgehaal het.” Ek het gesê: “Wel, hoekom probeer jy nie,” wetende dat 15% my BAIE geld sou spaar.

When she hit the key, I saw the price drop by the exact amount that my ring cost!! I had saved the same amount of money that I had just spent only a few minutes earlier for my ring!! In other words—my ring cost me nothing!! What a confirmation from the Lord that He wanted me to have it!

Toe sy die knoppie druk, het ek gesien hoe die prys val met die presiese bedrag wat my ring gekos het!! Ek het dieselfde bedrag geld gespaar wat ek net paar minute vantevore op my ring gespandeer het!! Met ander woorde—my ring het my niks gekos nie!! Wat ‘n bevestiging van die Here dat Hy wou gehad het ek moes dit kry!

When I hurried to the car, I told my children what had just happened, and then drove to my older son’s apartment so that he and his roommate could see the ring and hear how it happened. Funny thing too, my son asked me three times to repeat the story and said, “Wow, this is so God, Mom!

Toe ek my oorhaas na my motor toe, het ek vir my kinders vertel wat gebeur het, toe ry ek na my ouer seun se woonstel toe sodat hy en sy kamermaat my ring kon sien en hoor hoe dit gebeur het. Snaaks, my seun het my drie keer gevra om die storie te herhaal en gesê: “Sjoe, dit is God, Ma!”

But the really awesome thing about this blessing was what it did for me while waiting to hear that the divorce was final. Instead of dreading or fearing when the divorce would be final, I instead couldn’t wait for it to be final because all I could think about was wearing my new ring!! How’s that for God??? Though at times fear would put a tiny twinge in my stomach or in my heart, for the most part, there was only excitement and anticipation for when I would be able to begin wearing my new ring!

Maar die wonderlike ding van hierdie seëning was wat dit vir my gedoen het terwyl ek gewag het om te hoor dat die egskeiding finaal was. In plaas daarvan om te bang te wees vir wanneer die egskeiding finaal sou wees, kon ek nie wag dat dit finaal moes wees nie, al waaraan ek kon dink was om my nuwe ring te dra!! Hoe is dit vir God??? Hoewel vrees soms ‘n klein vonkie in my maag of in my hart sou sit, vir die grootste gedeelte was daar slegs opgewondenheid en afwagting vir wanneer ek my nuwe ring kon begin dra!

I thanked the Lord over and over: all day long, when I went to bed, and when I woke up. I thought the day the divorce would be final, and I could wear my new ring would never arrive!

Ek het die Here oor en oor bedank: die hele dag, wanneer ek in die bed geklim het en wanneer ek wakker geword het. Ek het gedink die dag wat die egskeiding finaal sou wees en ek my nuwe ring kon dra, sou nooit aanbreek nie!

Then, one day my husband was hanging around me in the kitchen and was acting kind of strange. When I headed to my bedroom, he followed me in and said that he needed to tell me something. Immediately I confess, I excitedly interrupted and said, “Oh, did you hear from your attorney? Is the divorce final?” He bowed his head and said yes that he had heard the news the day before. To which I replied excitedly, “Really? Oh, that means I get to wear my new ring, did you see it?!” as he followed me to my walk-in closet. I opened the box, took off my ring, put the rings he had given me in the same box and slipped my ring on to show to him.

Toe, eendag, het my man om my in die kombuis gehang en het soort van vreemd opgetree. Toe ek na my slaapkamer gegaan het, het hy my gevolg en gesê dat hy my iets moet vertel. Dadelik, ek moet bieg, het ek hom opgewonde in die rede geval en gevra: “O, het jy iets van jou prokureur gehoor? Is die egskeiding finaal?” Hy het sy kop laat sak en gesê ja, hy het die nuus die dag vantevore gehoor. Waarop ek opgewonde geantwoord het: “Regtig? O, dit beteken ek kan my nuwe ring dra, het jy dit gesien?!” terwyl hy my na my inloopkas toe gevolg het. Ek het die boksie oopgemaak, my ring afgehaal, die ringe wat hy vir my gegee het in dieselfde boksie gesit en my ring aangesit om vir hom te wys.

While he was looking at it, dumbfounded, I asked him if he had heard how I had gotten it. He said that he “sort of had,” but would I tell him? I did (just as I told you above), and then he looked at it again more closely. He said, “Michele, not only is it incredible how you got it, but a ring like that should have cost you about eight thousand dollars!!” Dear reader, this is how much your Husband longs to bless you!!! This is how much He loves you and me!!

Terwyl hy daarna gekyk het, stomgeslaan, het ek hom gevra of hy gehoor het hoe ek dit gekry het. Hy het gesê dat hy “soort van” gehoor het, maar of ek hom sou vertel? Ek het (net soos ek hierbo vertel het), en hy het weer van naderby daarna gekyk. Hy het gesê: “Michele, dit is nie net ongelooflik hoe jy dit gekry het nie, maar ‘n ring soos dit moes jou omtrent agt duisend dollar gekos het!!” Liewe leser, dit is hoe gretig jou Man is om jou te seën!!! Dit is hoe lief Hy my en jou het!!

“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He WAITS on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him” (Isaiah 30:18).

“Tog is die Here gretig om julle genadig te wees en wil Hy Hom oor julle ontferm: Die Here is ‘n God wat reg laat geskied, en dit gaan goed met elkeen wat op Hom vertrou” (Jesaja 30:18).

The reason I took the time to write all of this down is not just so you can praise the Lord for how awesome He is, but to give you just one example of how He wants to bless you when you, too, seek Him as your Husband!

Die rede hoekom ek die tyd geneem het om dit alles neer te skryf, is nie net sodat jy die Here kan prys vir hoe wonderlik Hy is nie, maar om vir jou net een voorbeeld te gee van hoe Hy jou wil seën wanneer jy Hom ook soek as jou Man!

The ring story does not end there. When my husband took me out on a “lunch date” (those were his words), just before he was about to leave to move states away, he took my hand and just stared at my ring and tears filled his eyes. I am not sure exactly what he was thinking, but God not only used my rings to bless me and help me feel loved and not rejected (because I followed His principles and then sought His plan for how to replace what I was to wear in their place), but He used them in my ex-husband’s life in some way (maybe regret for the choices he had made; who, but God knows and it’s not something I dwell on).

Die ring storie eindig nie daar nie. Toe my man my uitgevat het op ‘n “middagete afspraak” (dit was sy woorde), net voordat hy sou vertrek om state weg te trek, het hy my hand gevat en net na my ring gestaar en trane het sy oeë gevul. Ek is nie heeltemal seker wat hy gedink het nie, maar God het nie net my ringe gebruik om my te seën en om my te help om geliefd en nie verwerp te voel nie (omdat ek Sy beginsels gevolg het en toe Sy plan gesoek het om te vervang wat ek moes dra in hulle plek), maar Hy het hulle in my eks man se lewe gebruik op een of ander manier (dalk spyt oor die keuses wat hy gemaak het; wie anders as God weet en dit is nie iets wat ek baie oordink nie).

Before I end this chapter, I want you to know that the enemy is always lurking around to steal your joy, or to bring pain to your blessing.

Voordat ek hierdie hoofstuk afsluit, wil ek hê jy moet weet dat die vyand altyd ronskuil om jou vreugde te steel, of om pyn na jou seëning te bring.

John 10:10 tells us clearly that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Johannes 10:10 sê duidelik vir ons dat: “’n Dief kom net steel en slag en uitroei; Ek het gekom sodat hulle die lewe kan hê, en dit in oorvloed.”

And First Peter 5:8 warns us to always be ready, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

En 1 Petrus 5:8 waarsku ons om altyd gereed te wees: “Wees nugter, wees wakker! Julle vyand, die duiwel, loop rond soos 'n brullende leeu, op soek na iemand om te verslind.”

When my ex-husband saw that I had put my wedding ring from him in the box, he said before leaving my room that he would bring his ring over to put in the safe deposit box too, since “he didn’t want it.” But I took the “enthusiastic” response and said, “Oh, great, I think I have another ring box right here!” But the enemy was determined to keep using his hurt to hurt me back, so then my ex-husband said, “Oh, I will bring my sapphire ring over and put it in there too since I won’t be wearing it” referring to the ring I gave him as a wedding gift when we married. I was still able to enthusiastically say, “Oh, why not offer it to one of the boys?” This obviously hurt, so he dropped subject by saying that the boys would not be interested.

Toe my eks man gesien het dat ek my trouring van hom in die boksie gesit het, het hy voordat hy my kamer verlaat het gesê dat hy sy ring ook sou bring om in die kluis te sit, aangesien “hy dit nie wil hê nie.” Maar ek het die “entoesiastiese” reaksie geneem en gesê: “O, fantasties, ek dink ek het ‘n ander ringboksie net hier!” Maar die vyand was vasbeslote om aan te hou om sy seer te gebruik om my terug seer te maak, so toe sê my eks man: “O, ek sal my saffier ring bring en ook daarin sit aangesien ek dit nie gaan dra nie,” met verwysing na die ring wat ek vir hom as trougeskenk gegee het toe ons getroud is. Ek kon nog steeds entoesiasties sê: “O, hoekom bied jy dit nie aan een van die seuns nie?” Dit het natuurlik seergemaak, so hy het die onderwerp gelos deur te sê dat die seuns nie sou belangstel nie.

The next day, the battle to hurt me continued, as he handed me both rings, along the first letter I sent him that he kept in his top drawer, which also had a picture of me in it. I was able to stay strong and enthusiastic, opening it to tell him I would save the picture, then walked over and threw my letter to him in the trash. I didn’t do it to be mean, but just as a sign that it did not affect me (and as a silent message to my new Husband that I would be forever faithful to Him). However, the horror on his face told me what he was feeling in his heart. I was able to take to all the rings to the safe deposit box at the bank the next day, and though the enemy tried several times to hurt me, because it hurt my ex-husband, he wanted to hurt me back, but the enemy was never able to steal my joy.

Die volgende dag het die stryd om my seer te maak voortgeduur, terwyl hy altwee ringe aan my oorhandig het, saam met die eerste brief wat ek vir hom gestuur het, wat hy in sy boonste laai gehou het en wat ook ‘n foto van my ingehad het. Ek kon sterk en entoesiasties bly, ek het die brief oopgemaak om vir hom te sê dat ek die foto sou hou, toe het ek oorgeloop en my brief aan hom in die asblik gegooi. Ek het dit nie gedoen om gemeen te wees nie, maar as ‘n teken dat dit my nie geaffekteer het nie (en as ‘n stille boodskap aan my nuwe Man dat ek vir ewig getrou aan Hom sal wees). Maar die afgryse op sy gesig het my vertel wat hy in sy hart gevoel het. Ek kon al die ringe die volgende dag na die kluis by die bank neem, en al het die vyand verskeie kere probeer om my seer te maak, omdat dit my eks man seergemaak het en hy wou my terug seermaak, maar die vyand kon nooit my vreugde steel nie.

Dear reader, you may see things like this on television, when each is trying to hurt the other, but I will tell you honestly, I would never ever try to hurt my ex-husband, but fight only to keep what Jesus died to give me. He promised that “perfect love casts out all fear” and that we are to be careful not to allow the enemy to steal the abundant life He died to give us. I knew to prove my love to my Savior, my Beloved, and my new Husband, I needed to do so just as I did, but was only able to do so by His grace and the love I felt from Him!

Liewe leser, jy mag dalk dinge soos die op televisie sien, wanneer elkeen die ander een probeer seermaak, maar ek sal eerlikwaar vir jou sê, ek sal nooit ooit probeer om my eks man seer te maak nie, maar slegs baklei om te behou wat Jesus gesterf het om vir my te gee. Hy het belowe dat “volmaakte liefde verdryf vrees” en dat ons versigtig moet wees om nie die vyand toe te laat om die oorvloedige lewe te steel wat Hy gesterf het om vir ons te gee nie. Ek het geweet om my liefde aan my Redder, my Beminde en my nuwe Man te bewys, moes ek doen presies wat ek gedoen het, maar ek kon dit net doen deur Sy genade en die liefde wat ek vir Hom gevoel het.

Every morning I am just as excited to put my new ring on, and many times throughout the day, I feel so blessed that the Lord chose me as His bride. There is no shame when you give God your life and trust Him to this level of walking with Him radically and enthusiastically.

Elke oggend is ek net so opgewonde om my nuwe ring aan te sit, en baie keer gedurende die dag, voel ek so geseënd omdat die Here my gekies het as Sy bruid. Daar is geen skande wanneer jy jou lewe vir God gee en Hom vertrou tot hierdie vlak waar jy radikaal en entoesiasties saam met Hom stap nie.

Amazing, too, is that my ex-husband was more in love, and more drawn to me that any man who had ever just divorced his wife! Again, it is not because I am anyone special, because I’m not. It is because I am willing to trust the Lord enough to not just walk along this journey He has chosen for me, but walk it with enthusiasm and excitement! Is there any other way we should walk hand-in-hand with our Savior?

Wonderlik, ook, is dat my eks man meer verlief en meer aangetroke tot my was as enige ander man wat ooit net van sy vrou geskei het! Weer, dit is nie omdat ek enigiemand spesiaal is nie, want ek is nie. Dit is omdat ek gewillig is om die Here genoeg te vertrou om nie net die pad te stap wat Hy vir my gekies het nie, maar om die pad met entoesiasme en opgewondenheid te stap! Is daar enige ander manier waarop ons hand aan hand saam met ons Redder moet stap?

Here are more testimonies that prove that this can happen to you too!!

Hier is meer getuienisse wat sal bewys dat dit ook met jou kan gebeur!!

 “My New Ring”
“My Nuwe Ring”

I am so EXCITED!!! I have a BEAUTIFUL New Ring to wear. For a few months now I have had this desire for a rose gold ring. I have been talking to my heavenly Husband about it. Even though I have had plenty of ideas as to how I would get this ring and what it would mean to me, I never expected it the way I received it.

Ek is so OPGEWONDE!!! Ek het ‘n PRAGTIGE Nuwe Ring om te dra. Vir ‘n paar maande het ek al die begeerte vir ‘n roosgoud ring. Ek het met my hemelse Man daaroor gepraat. Alhoewel ek baie idees gehad het oor hoe ek hierdie ring sou kry en wat dit vir my sou beteken, het ek dit nooit verwag soos ek dit ontvang het nie.

One day I was walking around the mall, I stopped in two jewelry stores. One had a nice band with crystals all around and it was rose gold. The second store had a few “engagement” like rings or “promise” rings in rose gold, but not what I was looking for. Honestly I did not know why I was looking for any ring. Four days later I received an unexpected monetary gift, I was blown away by the love.

Ek het eendag in die winkelsentrum rondgeloop, ek het in twee juweliersware winkels gestop. Een het ‘n mooi ring gehad met kristale reg rondom en dit was roosgoud. Die tweede winkel het ‘n paar “verloofringe” of “belofte ringe” in roosgoud gehad, maar nie waarna ek op soek was nie. Eerlikwaar het ek nie geweet hoekom ek enige ring gesoek het nie. Vier dae later het ek ‘n onverwagte monetêre geskenk gekry, ek was verstom deur die liefde.

This particular day I had not been to the gym, so I went to the mall to walk. It is an outdoor mall that many people go to, to walk and window shop ;). I had invited a few friends but none of them could make it. I parked my car and began my walk with Him. I came across another jewelry store, so I went inside. The minute I stepped foot in the door the lady said, “Hi, you are here for a wedding band?” I looked at her and said, “Yes, I would like to look for a rose gold band.” She sat me down and showed me three rings. I loved each and every one of them. She began to ask me questions. One thing she asked was, “this has a meaning and it is not about your marriage?” I smiled and said, “Oh, yes, it is!” 🙂 and I began to ask her if she knows God. She told me she walked away from her faith four years ago, and then she said she knows He is pulling her back because I am the 3rd person to speak to her about her faith. Then, she left to help another customer, so I took the time to speak to Him in my heart. I asked if I should purchase a ring, and if so, which one. He guided me to the middle one. When she got back she asked, “have you decided?” I said, “Yes, this one please”, not even knowing the cost of the ring. She brought me to the register and told me it was on special and that she would take an additional 10% off but she had to know what this ring was symbolizing :).

Op hierdie spesifieke dag was ek nie gym toe nie, so ek het na die winkelsentrum toe gegaan om te stap. Dit is ‘n buitelug winkelsentrum waarheen baie mense gaan, om te stap en deur die venters te koop 😉 Ek het ‘n paar vriendinne genooi, maar nie een van hulle kon dit maak nie. Ek het my motor parkeer en saam met Hom begin stap. Ek het op nog ‘n juweliersware winkel afgekom, so toe gaan ek in. Die oomblik toe ek my voet binne die winkel sit, het die dame gesê: Hello, is jy hier vir ‘n trouring?” Ek het na haar gekyk en gesê: “Ja, ek is op soek na ‘n roosgoud ring.” Sy het my laat sit en my drie ringe gewys. Ek was mal oor al drie van hulle. Sy het begin om my vrae te vra. Een ding wat sy gevra het was: “hierdie het ‘n betekenis en dit gaan nie oor jou huwelik nie?” Ek het geglimlag en gesê: “O ja, dit het” en het begin om haar te vra of sy in God glo. Sy het my vertel dat sy vier jaar gelede van haar geloof weggeloop het, en toe sê sy dat sy weet Hy is besig om haar terug te trek, want ek was die 3rde persoon wat met haar oor haar geloof gepraat het. Toe het sy ‘n ander kliënt gaan help, so ek het die tyd benut om met Hom in my hart te praat. Ek het gevra of ek die ring moet koop, en indien wel, watter een? Hy het my na die middelste een gelei. Toe sy terugkom het sy gevra: “Het jy al besluit?” Ek het gesê: “Ja, hierdie een aseblief,” sonder dat ek geweet het hoeveel die ring kos. Sy het my na die kasregister geneem en gesê dat daar ‘n spesiale aanbod op die ring was en dat sy ‘n ekstra 10% sou afneem, maar sy moes weet wat hierdie ring simboliseer .

I told her it is my ring from my Heavenly Husband, that I am His and He is mine. It’s a reminder that I am never alone. She rang it up and the cost of the ring was the same as the monetary gift I had received!!!! 🙂

Ek het vir haar gesê dit is my ring van my Hemelse Man, dat ek Syne is en Hy is myne. Dit is om my te herinner dat ek nooit alleen is nie. Sy het dit opgelui en die koste van die ring was dieselfde as die monetêre geskenk wat ek ontvang het!!!!  

I praised Him and thanked Him for my special ring and the opportunity to share about all He has done for me.

Ek het Hom geprys en bedank vir my spesiale ring en die geleentheid om te deel oor alles wat Hy vir my gedoen het.

Today, on my left hand, ring finger, sits the most beautiful, shiny, rose gold, 12 amazing diamonds, wedding band from my Wonderful, Amazing, Protective, Providing, Comforting, Caring, Kind, Generous, Forgiving, Loving, ALL KNOWING Husband. He is always in control and I love Him so much!!!!!

Vandag, aan my linkerhand, ringvinger, is die mooiste, blink, roosgoud, 12 wonderlike diamante, trouring van my Wonderlike, Fantastiese, Beskermende, Voorsienende, Vertroostende, Omgee, Goedhartige, Vrygewige, Vergewensgesinde, Liefdevolle, ALWETENDE MAN. Hy is altyd in beheer en ek is so life vir Hom!!!!!

~ Heather in Massachusetts is Minister in Training who was spared in order to help other women whose lives are also in danger due to their not letting go and trusting God to lead them to the safety of HIS arms!!!

~ Heather in Massachusetts is bedienaar in opleiding wat gespaar is om ander vroue te help wie se lewens ook in gevaar is omdat hulle nie laat gaan en God vertrou om hulle na die veiligheid van SY arms te lei nie!!!

“I am His and His Alone”
“Ek is Syne en Syne Alleen”

As I was watching the Be Encouraged Classic video 1 part 3, which is part of the RYM and Refresher courses, Erin was speaking about wedding rings. This reminded me I needed to send in this a praise report about what He did to provide me a ring!

Terwyl ek die Be Encouraged Classic video 1, deel 3, gekyk het, wat deel is van die HJH en Opknapping kursusse, het Erin gepraat oor trouringe. Dit het my herinner om hierdie lofverslag in te dien oor wat Hy gedoen het om my van ‘n ring te voorsien!

My EH and I never used our rings much, I lost mine years ago and it was never replaced. But after coming to RMI and learning the importance of showing we aren’t available to others, I began to pray and ponder buying one. I tried on several cheap ones from a department store and they weren’t comfortable. After my divorce, I began seeking Him again for a ring, to show others I wasn’t available, because I am His and His alone.

Ek en my AM het nooit ons trouringe baie gebruik nie, ek het myne jare gelede verloor en dit was nooit vervang nie. Maar nadat ek na RMI gekom het en geleer het hoe belangrik dit is om vir ander te wys dat ons nie beskikbaar is nie, het ek begin bid en dink om ‘n ander een te koop. Ek het paar goedkoop ringe van kettingwinkels probeer en hulle was nie gemaklik nie. Na my egskeiding, het ek Hom weer begin soek vir ‘n ring, om vir ander te wys dat ek nie beskikbaar is nie, want ek is Syne en Syne alleen.

One evening I was passing by a jewelry store and felt an urge to go in, I dismissed it and went on with my business thinking it would be a way too expensive option. When I passed by the second time, I again felt the urge to go inside. I went in and looked, the sales lady asked what I wanted, and I simply stated that I had lost my ring. I felt a check in my heart so I then explained so she could understand that I had been recently divorced, but just wasn’t available. She immediately liked the idea and was happy to show me the plain wedding bands I was looking for and they were in my budget! I tried on one and was surprised at the perfect fit, and to boot it was a “comfort band” that didn’t even feel like it was on my finger! I felt Him smiling and approving :).

Een aand het ek verby ‘n juweliersware winkel geloop en ‘n drang gevoel om in te gaan, ek het dit verwerp en aangegaan met my besigheid terwyl ek gedink het dat dit ‘n te duur opsie sou wees. Toe ek die tweede keer verbyloop, het ek weer die drang gevoel om in te gaan. Ek het ingegaan en gekyk, die verkoopsdame het gevra wat ek wou hê en ek het eenvoudig gesê dat ek my ring verloor het. Ek het ‘n pluk aan my hart gevoel, so toe verduidelik ek sodat sy kon verstaan dat ek onlangs geskei is, maar net nie beskikbaar is nie. Sy het dadelik van die idee gehou en was gelukkig om vir my die plein trouringe te wys waarna ek gesoek het, en hulle was in my begroting! Ek het een aangepas en was verbaas hoe perfek dit gepas het, en dit was ‘n “gemak ring” wat nie eers gevoel het asof dit aan my vinger was nie! Ek het Hom gevoel glimlag en goedkeur .

As I paid, I was surprised as she put it in a beautiful ring box and then in a pretty gift box and bag. I felt so special, like I was getting a gift! As I left the store grinning, I couldn’t resist looking at it again. So following another urge I went down a little path walled in with flowers and palm trees and with little white lights along the way. I was suddenly in a very “romantic” area. I found a little bench tucked in amongst the flowers and sat down and took out the gift box, then opened my ring box.

Terwyl ek betaal het, was ek verbaas omdat sy dit in ‘n pragtige ringboksie gesit het, en toe in ‘n geskenk boks en mooi geskenk sak. Ek het so spesiaal gevoel, asof ek ‘n geskenk gekry het! Terwyl ek die winkel met ‘n glimlag verlaat het, kon ek nie weerstaan om weer daarna te kyk nie. So toe volg ek nog ‘n drang en het ‘n paadjie gevolg ommuur met blomme en palmbome en met klein wit liggies aan die kante. Ek was skielik in ‘n baie “romantiese” area. Ek het ‘n klein bankie tussen die blomme gevind, gaan sit en die geskenk boks uitgehaal, toe het ek die ring boksie oopgemaak.

The glint of the lights on the pretty silver band took my breath away, and suddenly I felt so loved. A romantic song was being piped softly over the sound system and as I put on my ring, I began to cry. I suddenly was pouring out to Him the wedding vow. I promised that I would always cherish and obey Him, and never leave Him. I felt such love in my heart, like a warm hug from Him. I got up and was so happy I felt like I was floating. I went home laughing, crying and praising Him. He gave me more than just a ring to wear it is now a symbol to me of that vow I gave Him!! And more than that, the ring was not only my vow to Him but a symbol of His love for me. He loves me and His love is not conditional, nor does it have limits!! It is on my finger always, and if I take it off to do dishes, I feel uncomfortable without it! I feel so cherished and honored to get to wear it. It is far more than what I planned for, but that’s just like Him!!

Die glinster van die ligte op die mooi silwer ring het my asem weggeslaan en skielik het ek so geliefd gevoel. ‘n Romantiese liedjie het saggies oor die klanksisteem gespeel en terwyl ek my ring aangesit het, het ek begin huil. Ek het skielik die huweliksgelofte aan Hom uitgestort. Ek het belowe dat ek Hom altyd sal koester, gehoorsaam en Hom nooit sal verlaat nie. Ek het soveel liefde in my hart gevoel, soos ‘n warm drukkie van Hom. Ek het opgestaan en was so gelukkig, dit het gevoel asof ek sweef. Ek het laggend en huilend huis toe gegaan en Hom geprys. Hy het vir my meer as net ‘n ring gegee om te dra, dit is nou ‘n simbool van Sy liefde vir my. Hy is lief vir my en Sy liefde is nie voorwaardelik nie, dit het ook nie limiete nie!! Dit is altyd aan my vinger en as ek dit afhaal om die skottelgoed te was, voel ek ongemaklik sonder dit! Ek voel so gekoester en geëerd om dit te dra. Dit is baie meer as wat ek beplan het, maar dit is net hoe Hy is!!

Ladies, He loves each one of us more than we know, He longs for us, and cherishes us. Be Encouraged!!

Dames, Hy is lief vir elkeen van ons, meer as wat ons weet, Hy hunker na ons en koester ons. Wees Aangemoedig!!

~ Christina in Mexico
~ Christina in Mexiko

“HE put His Ring on My Finger”
“Hy het Sy Ring Aan My Vinger Gesit”

This journey just gets better EVERY DAY! My HH has done something so very wonderful for me!! Let me explain! I am Divorced, but not Single, and I am never alone :).

Hierdie reis word net ELKE DAG beter! My HM het iets so wonderliks vir my gedoen!! Laat ek verduidelik! Ek is Geskei, maar nie Enkellopend nie, en ek is nooit alleen nie J

Over the last several weeks I've been doing some refreshing in my RMI Courses. I finished them for the first time a while ago, actually in early 2012, but over the last few months I had been sensing the Lord wanted me to do them again. Then suddenly I was given the invitation to take a “Refresher”! PTL that He led me to do this again, otherwise I would have missed something so very important!

Oor die afgelope paar weke het ek my RMI-kursusse opgeknap. Ek het hulle ‘n rukkie terug vir die eerste keer voltooi, eintlik vroeg 2012, maar gedurende die laaste paar maande het ek aangevoel die Here wou gehad het ek moes hulle weer doen. Toe kry ek skielik ‘n uitnodiging om ‘n “Opknapper” te neem! PDH dat Hy my gelei het om dit weer te doen, anders sou ek iets so belangrik gemis het!

One of my fellow Ministers recently sent in a PR about her NEW RING her HH gave her, “My New Ring”. I was so happy for her while reading it and I could feel her JOY!! It was amazing ;). I didn't clue in at that moment while I was reading it, but my HH wanted to do the same for me!!!

Een van my mede-Bedienaars het onlangs ‘n LV ingedien oor haar NUWE RING wat HM vir haar gegee het, “My Nuwe Ring”. Ek was so bly vir haar terwyl ek dit gelees het en kon haar VREUGDE voel!! Dit was wonderlik ;). Ek het nie dadelik verstaan terwyl ek dit gelees het nie, maar my HM wou dieselfde vir my doen!!!

Then last week while viewing Erin's Be Encouraged videos again, she said in the video, “HE WANTS TO PUT HIS RING ON YOUR FINGER”. At that very moment my heart took a LEAP and I realized He was speaking directly to me!! I knew right there and then that I was going to get a NEW RING! (I'm giggling as I write this because HE IS SO WONDERFUL AND HE MAKES ME LAUGH!) I thanked Him and knew HE would buy it for me since I was flat broke!!

Toe, laas week, terwyl ek weer Erin se Be Encouraged video’s gekyk het, het sy in die video gesê: “HY WIL SY RING AAN JOU VINGER SIT”. Op daardie oomblik het my hart GESPRING en ek het besef Hy het direk met my gepraat!! Ek het daar en dan geweet dat ek ‘n NUWE RING gaan kry! (Ek giggel soos ek skryf want HY IS SO WONDERLIK EN HY LAAT MY LAG!). Ek het Hom bedank en geweet HY sou dit vir my koop aangesien ek platsak was!!

Oh ladies, let me tell you, He is the most Wonderful BRIDEGROOM! Embrace Him!!

O, dames, laat ek jul vertel, Hy is die Wonderlikste BRUIDEGOM! Omhels Hom!!

So, yesterday after returning to work from my lunch break, this was so “unexpected”, I had an envelope waiting for me and in it was a $300 bonus check from my employer! My heart took another LEAP! I was so overcome by His LOVE for me at that moment and just knew this was the money He provided for MY NEW RING!! I left work that day and headed straight to the jewelry store with My Husband leading me!

So, gister toe ek teruggekeer het werk toe na my middagete breek, dit was so “onverwags”, het ek ‘n koevert gekry wat vir my gewag het met ‘n $300 bonus tjek van my werkgewer! My hart het weer GESPRING! Ek was so oorval deur Sy LIEFDE vir my op daardie oomblik en het net geweet dit was die geld wat Hy voorsien het vir MY NUWE RING!! Ek het huistoe gegaan daardie dag en het dadelik na die juweliersware winkel gegaan met My Man wat my gelei het!

Now placed on my ring finger is a brand-new White Gold Wedding Band with 11 Beautiful Diamonds :))). The cost of my beautiful ring and the purchase of the LIFETIME WARRANTY with it was just under $300, then He bought me a nice dinner :)!! He is so SWEET!

Nou is daar ‘n splinternuwe Witgoud Trouring aan my ringvinger met 11 Pragtige Diamante ). Die koste van my pragtige ring en die aankoop van die LEWENSLANGE WAARBORG saam met dit, was net onder $300, toe koop Hy vir my ‘n lekker aandete J!! Hy is so OULIK!

I am HIS BRIDE and He is my BRIDEGROOM!!!

Ek is SY BRUID en Hy is my BRUIDEGOM!!!

~ Joan in Canada
~ Joan in Kanada