I have always loved sapphires.  There is something so calming, so peaceful and so strong about the color blue.  So imagine my surprise when many years ago while in a Bible study, I read Isaiah 54:11 for the first time.

“O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.”

— Isaiah 54:11

I read it like an invitation from God–come to me all who are wounded and weary, and I will lay your foundations with sapphires.  Come to Me.  Foundations.  Sapphires. The verse would not leave me.  

I wanted to know more.  

Isaiah 54 addresses the restoration of Israel; its rebuilding and God’s promise of peace, prosperity and protection.  He will lay a foundation of sapphires. 

But, why sapphires?

I read on.

In Exodus 24:10, Moses and Aaron “saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone.” 

There is more. In Ezekiel 1:26, Ezekiel writes, “And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone.” 

The foundation of God’s throne and the throne itself–sapphires.  Makes me think that the blue sky is no accident, but more like a reflection of the brilliant blue foundation of Heaven and the majesty of a sapphire throne.  Perhaps.

But more importantly, if God can restore Israel; then certainly he can restore me.  So, that verse, which felt like an invitation, became even more powerful, and more personal.  I made it mine.

O, Michelle, so troubled, tossed by the storms of life, and not comforted,
behold, I will lay your stones with fair colours,
and lay your foundations with sapphires.  I will restore you.  I will
protect you with the very throne and foundation of Heaven.

I shared it with my husband.  And we went on with life.

Months later at Christmas, I opened my gift from my husband.  And there it was.  A ring–a beautiful band of sapphires.  My foundation of sapphires. 

He said he bought it to go with my wedding ring.  To wear it as the foundation to remind me that God is with us in our marriage.  What a gift. 

That was many, many years ago. I had no idea when I read that verse and put on that foundation of sapphires from my husband how much I was going to need that foundation. At that time, I was not so wounded and weary. But, life has changed that. My husband and I shared many good days and great adventures.  There was overwhelming joy.  But, there was also great sadness and some very dark days. 

Now, with my Tensey’s passing, there has been tremendous grief.

Yet, my foundation of sapphires still remains.

My sapphire ring has come to mean more to me than just a reminder of God in my marriage.  It is a reminder of Him in my family.  In my friendships.  In my work. But even more than that, it has come to represent the glory of Heaven that my husband is now experiencing. It is a reminder of God’s love for me and that I have hope in Him and a future that He has planned for me. 

As I go through my days, the ordinary pace of life, there are times when my eye catches the sparkle of the sapphire ring on my finger.  And I smile.