Here’s an old story credited to anonymity.
Something seemed to be wrong with this businessman. After talking with him, I finally figured out what was wrong. This businessman was wearing his wedding ring on his wrong finger.
And so I asked, “I don’t mean to pry, but I noticed that you are wearing your wedding ring on your finger. Do you know that?”
The businessman confidently nodded and said, “Yes, I know.”
“Well, if you know it was a mistake, then why are you not correcting it?”
And the businessman said, “Because I married the wrong woman!”
Now, how’s that for logic?
But then, think about this.
Have you ever taken the time to think about this?
Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?
Some businessmen friends of mine give a beautiful and convincing explanation.
Thumb represents your parents
Second (index) finger represents your siblings
Middle finger represents yourself
Fourth (ring) finger represents your life partner
Last (little) finger represents your children
First, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers, and hold them together – back to back.
Second, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumbs tip to tip.
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents). They will open because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs again and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings). They will also open because your brothers and sisters will have families and lead separate lives.
Now, join the index fingers and separate your little fingers (representing your children). They will open too, because children will also get married and settle down on their own someday.
Finally, join your little fingers and try to separate your ring fingers (representing your spouse). You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT… because husband and wife have to remain together all their lives – through thick and thin!
What God has put together, no man can put asunder.
I am convinced that God is saddened when marriages fall apart.
There are no winners when this happens, and the children are always the biggest losers.
Somebody once said: “Marriage used to be a contract. Now, many regard it as a 90-day option.”
A teenage girl was examining her grandmother’s wedding ring. The girl said, “Wow, what heavy and cumbersome rings those were 50 years ago.” The grandmother replied, “That’s true, but don’t forget that in my day they were made to last a lifetime.”
How about your wedding rings?
Are they designed to last a lifetime?
After 45 years of marriage (this September) and nine years of being engaged before we tied the wedding knot, I look at my life today and thank God for giving me a very understanding and supportive wife. We will do everything within our power – through the grace of God – to make the marriage work.
There is great stability in the family when my wife does not have to be afraid that I would betray her trust when I go on those lonely business trips alone. And my children do not have to be afraid that their father will no longer come home one day.
Marriage is designed to last forever. It’s what God wants because it’s what is good for us.
Well, today is supposed to be a message addressing a Mother’s Day celebration – so why am I talking about all these things concerning marriage and having a wonderful wife?
Because behind every great mother is a woman who first chose wisely, then loved fiercely, and somehow managed to raise a family while surviving a husband who occasionally forgets where he left his socks, how he spent his money, or where he left his wedding ring!
So today, let’s celebrate the women who wear many hats – often at the same time – and still manage to keep the whole house (and household) from falling apart.
Happy Mother’s Day to the real CEOs of calm, comfort, and controlled chaos.
We husbands may wear the rings, but you wear the crown.
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Stay tuned for the launch of Francis Kong’s new YouTube and podcast channel – Kongversations. Where sharp minds meet smart talk – one meaningful conversation at a time.