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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Wisdom Ring

This is the ring Lynn and I gave our daughter, Helen, for her thirteenth birthday Sunday night.  It is a gold band custom made for her by my friend, Memphis jeweler extraordinaire Nubar Yacoubian, with three diamonds from one of her Great Aunt Faye's rings.

Lynn organized a "Welcome to Womanhood" birthday party for Helen.  About twenty-five women from different stages of life came together in our home as a surprise to Helen, to pass along in writing their godly wisdom.  A few of Helen's friends got to overhear everything the ladies shared, and one lady brought her teenage daughters along with her to listen in.  The evening ended with our presenting to Helen what some call a Purity Ring but we're calling a Wisdom Ring.  In wearing it Helen is to be mindful that wisdom "is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compete with her" (Prov. 8:11). 

Why not a "Purity Ring"?  Because purity is really a function of wisdom, and what we want for our children is a fully-orbed virtue informed by wisdom that they'll pass on to their kids, our grandchildren.  I pointed out to Helen Sunday night that wisdom is personified in Proverbs as female, making the setting of her party especially fitting for her ring ceremony.  Wisdom does not force her way but appeals.  In addition to what was shared with Helen, we are even more grateful for those who shared it.

We told Helen we want her to pass her ring along to her daughter someday (if she has one) as a "heritage of those who fear your name" (Ps. 61:5).

1 comment:

  1. Great stuff! thanks for leading by example as a great father for us young guys to model after. your children are more blesses than they realize! Glad to know you are leading this was as a father and pastor!

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