AVIZANDUM: Thoughts on Engagement Rings

Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective. and take matters Abyssendum. The engagement of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey hit the news with a bang.

According to Ruth Faulkner, the managing editor for Retail Jewelry magazine, The ring, which was reportedly designed by Kelsey, Is estimated to cost anything from five hundred thousand British pounds. up to four million British pounds. In today's dollars, that's a range of six hundred and seventy three thousand dollars to over five million dollars for a ring. Faulkner goes on to say that the diamond looks to be a 8-10 carat vintage stone, which is quite rare. Taylor's Swiss ring, however, may not be as valuable as Georgina Rodrigo's.

that's Cristiano Ronaldo's partner, whose huge oval cut rock is reportedly worth up to five million dollars. trends have been leaning towards bigger stones, both for celebrities and ordinary mortals. I find it ironic that apparently Taylor Swift has a song I like Shiny Things. they'll marry you with paper rings. Really?

As someone who's not a swifty, having never heard her sing, I can't get too excited about any of this. Also, not being a Kansas City fan makes me even less interested. What do you make of all of this? A lot of people's reaction, and I'm probably one of them, although here I am doing a podcast on it, is, who cares? But the reality is we do seem to care.

What is concerning is that these celebrities tend to provide models for lesser mortals. When I heard of Taylor Swift's eight to ten carat vintage stone, I thought of the engagement ring I bought for Goodney, my wife, many years ago. One of the blessings of being married to Gutney is that when we discussed marriage, she told me. that engagement rings were not important in Pharaoh. at least not at that time.

But nonetheless, the tradition in the UK is to buy a ring So we went to a jewellery store in Edinburgh, Scotland. In all honesty, it wasn't a particularly big event for us. but we did mutually decide on a diamond of the impressive size of zero point one carat. Kootenay was delighted with it, and I was very pleased with the price. Thankfully there was not the flurry of excitement there is now when people rushed to see the ring on the hand of the bride to be.

It was so small that people could have missed it anyway. What was important for Gootney and myself was That we believed the Lord Jesus had led us together. and that we loved each other, and we're committing ourselves to marriage until death as Dupart. No. Engagements are carried out by couples With her families hiding in the bushes to take photos of the momentous occasion.

Then the bride shows her large ring to everyone who would like to see it. And even to those who don't want to see it. No, For the avoidance of all doubt I'm not against large engagement rings or even little engagement rings. I do prefer the latter. But I think we will all agree that what is important is not the rock.

but the love which the couple has for one another. I've always found it strange that there is little or no fuss about the wedding rings on the wedding day. Very few people at the wedding seem to care about the wedding rings. But surely these rings are more important than the engagement ring. as they symbolize commitment and fidelity for life.

If you're a couple thinking about getting engaged, I'm sure you'll do what you want. I'm not going to give any advice about the size of an engagement ring. But I do want to say that what is important Is your love for God a and your love for one another. I would also say that couples don't necessarily have a huge engagement ring. and don't go into debt to buy a piece of jewelry.

No. As I speak, some of you are judging me for buying Such a tiny engagement ring for Goodney.

So let me say a couple of things for the record as I close. First. Instead of buying a huge engagement ring, I did put a substantial down payment on her first home. We only stayed in it for less than two years. but it had increased in value by fifty per cent.

during that time. Not a bad wee investment. Number two. Goodness still has that tiny engagement ring. which has now been incorporated into another ring which also has her mother's diamond in it.

So Buddhi will be glad to show the ring to you. It's now what is called a legacy ring. Who knows? Perhaps it will be our granddaughter's engagement ring. and so save her future husband a lot of money.

Ava Zandam. Uh You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.