I had just finished a Christian yoga class before our visit and was completely relaxed, still, and slow in breath.

Thrilled to do something tangible for Ruth, The Most Beautiful Woman I Know, she graciously allowed me to type this post from her dictation.  It first appeared on her website, Bright Hope Ministries.  You can also read her story there.

January 2011

The details of her battle with terminal cancer would make even the toughest man break.  But through it all, she has managed to rise above.

In sharing her testimony, she has planted many seeds.  During this decade long journey she has pointed everyone she meets to Him.  Some say she is stronger than they would be in the same circumstances.  Ruth is an amazing human being.

The tumors in her head have begun to press against her ear drum and optical nerves.  One eye has been sewn shut and the other, partially.  Her sight is compromised and her hearing in one ear is gone.

It was quiet in her bedroom with the exception of a Chris Rice instrumental CD playing softly in the background.  I sat next to her, on her ‘good ear’ side, propped up on pillows with the lap top in my lap, and waited for her words.  They came slowly.  It was a humbling experience.  I listened intently and did not speak.  If you know me, this usually isn’t easy to do; but for some reason, this night, it was.  I only occasionally offered and suggested synonyms when she searched for just the right word to express.

But it was me who benefited from this Teachable Moment.  My own husband suffers from these kinds of glances too.  This post is a beautiful way to introduce teaching our kids (and ourselves) to pray for others who suffer from the stigma of being different.

Only 272 words that pack a powerful punch.

Teachable Moment by Ruth Moran

“Look! Mama, Look! Look! Mama!”
I have to admit it. I had actually gotten used to hearing that. Not from my own child but from someone else’s who was staring at me. It happened again last night in, of all places, Wal-Mart. This time, I actually doubled back to give “Mama” another opportunity for a glance.

I confess, it has been one of my most hurtful, and one of the longest-in-coming lessons to learn: not being offended by people staring at my deformities. But oh, for the opportunity to talk to this young mother about this teachable moment she has before her, not just for teaching etiquette skills and good manners and polite behavior around those who are different, but for inspiring ongoing dialogue about how God’s plans are at work in someone’s life who looks very different.

If given the chance, I’d say, “Mama, here is what you can teach that child. God must have something very important working in the inside of that person’s heart if He’s decided that their outside would be different like that. We must pray that that person’s heart will be strong in trusting God to know what He is planning to do. And we should also pray that that person will trust God to heal the hurts that go along with being different. “

And that is only the beginning of the lesson. Why not teach your child, instead of pointing out their differences, to add a friendly hello with a smile along with all that etiquette. It wouldn’t hurt either for all the adults who stare to learn a lesson or two.

 

Please join me in praying for Ruth and her family.

(Pause music at top right)