I’ve wanted a “Mother’s Ring” ever since our third child arrived and completed our family eleven years ago. I thought the girls’ birthstones–topaz, sapphire, and ruby–would look pretty together. Being a proud mom, as well as a sentimental person, I liked the idea of wearing a visible reminder of my three lovely lasses.
Shortly after our youngest daughter was born, I did the Bible study “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place” by Beth Moore. I came across the passage in the Old Testament describing the details of the Jewish high priest’s garments. Twelve precious stones were to be fastened on the priest’s breastplate, representing each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Topaz, sapphire, emerald, amethyst and diamond were a few we might recognize today. These were placed in four rows of three and were to be worn “over his heart, before the Lord, continually.” (Exodus 28:30b) I recall being struck by the fact that the Creator and God of the Universe would want reminders like this of His people, and that He would care about them in such a personal, and even, dare I say, sentimental way!
Below is a picture of the Mother’s Ring my sweet husband gave me for Christmas this year. The sight of those three stones all lined up in their proper order brought tears to my eyes. But what really touched me was that he had each of the girls’ names engraved next to their birthstones!
The day after Christmas I revisited the passage in Exodus 28 to refresh my memory, and made a new discovery. Not only did the high priest wear the twelve “birthstones,” but he also wore two additional stones, made of onyx and set in gold upon each shoulder. And guess what? They were engraved with “the names of the sons of Israel in the order of their birth” (Exodus 28:9,10)!
Our God is caring like a father. He is sentimental like a mother. He knows each of His children by name. And like any loving parent, he likes things that remind Him of His kids.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before Me.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)