Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
The name Ruth comes from the Hebrew origin and means: Companion; friend; vision of beauty. (Firecracker must be in that definition somewhere.)
She was A Beautiful Woman even with more than ten disfiguring surgeries. These surgeries carved out a diamond in the rough just as Michelangelo carved masterpieces out of stone.
Although more than 1/4 of her life was spent fighting cancer, the majority of her life was spent pointing others to Him. The seeds she planted, no doubt, won countless souls to Christ. I know she strengthened my faith.
The thing is…
It isn’t that Ruth was a remarkable woman, an exceptional human being, and tremendously brave;
She was.
It is that she was just an ordinary woman; a homeschool mom, my age, my peer.
Cancer was cruel to her. So many times I heard (or felt), “I could never do what she has done.”
But truthfully,
Her faith is what made her extraordinary. She lived it.
The way she edified her husband was extraordinary too. She was quick to notice a thing of beauty; especially if it was purple. It was her wish that everyone wear purple to her funeral.
Ruth had a voracious love of music. I believe it helped her to thrive. She taught me many truths over the last several years; some of these were through the music she shared. I learned them by watching how she lived out her faith.
6 of these truths stand out to me:
1- Ruth taught me that it’s worth it, if it gives God glory.
She spoke to a group of moms in our Adventure Group. She played this song while giving her testimony; many of us hurting in our own ways.
“Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain”Mercy Me, “Bring The Rain“
2- Ruth taught me how to pray for others who had a stigma of being different.
She dictated a blog post to me late one night. It was a defining moment. She gave a teachable response to the mother whose child pointed and stared in a Wal-Mart….
“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.” Ruth Moran
3- Ruth taught me to always point up and give God praise, no matter what the news.
In the summer of 2011, Ruth and her sister Susan, sang a duet at our church. This was after the news that after 13 years, the doctors had done all they could do. Again and again, over the course of our friendship, I saw her pointing up… to Him.
The song was entitled
” My Lips Will Praise You. ” by Twila Paris (pause music at top right & click to listen) This is the chorus:
My lips will praise You
For You are holy
My voice will ever rise
Before Your throne
My heart will love You
For You are lovely
And You have called me
To become Your own
4- Ruth taught me that JOY is a decision.
In joy, you can’t pretend it, buy it or hide it. It isn’t something you have because of your circumstances but joy, instead, is something you have in spite of them. It is a daily decision. Sometimes an hourly decision. Ruth knew that.
5- Ruth taught me to show up.
She always allowed her picture be taken. She ate through a tube in her tummy wherever she happened to be. It was humbling. I know there were bad days. She didn’t hide. I admire how she was authentic to the core, how she owned who she was. Just showing up took bravery. How many of us do not show up in our own lives….without disfigurements. Isn’t that what courage is? Feeling fear and showing up anyway?
Ruth was courageous. She illustrated courage by showing up.
Ruth taught me to trust God; NO MATTER WHAT.
When she told me face to face last summer that the Doctors were not fighting the cancer anymore but were focusing their attention on treating her pain, she played this for me in the quiet space of her bedroom. And then she helped me grieve….and trust.
Laura Story, “Blessings”
We pray for blessings, We pray for peace
Comfort for family, Protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, For prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand
To ease our suffering
Cause what if Your blessings come through rain drops
What if your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise
What if trials of this life are His mercies in disguise?
How fitting that she went HOME during the season of Thanksgiving. I am blessed and most thankful to have known her. I feel God has changed my perspective for good, on so many things, by placing her in my life.
I miss her terribly already.
As much as I hate the ache from these feelings of loss with every fiber of my being, I find some solace in this beautiful quote by Bonhoeffer…
“There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve — even in pain — the authentic relationship. Further more, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.” Bonhoeffer
I am leaving this hole open, that Ruth left behind, in gratitude and silent joy. She was is a precious gift. I know Heaven must be delighted.
Goodbye, friend. I love you to the moon.
Memorials may be made to:
Bright Hope Ministries: http://brighthopeministries.org/ (230 Sunset Lake Road, Stanfield, NC 28163)
That was beautiful Christina. We all were blessed to have met her. What a treasure indeed.
Thank you, Donna. We are blessed.
Christina, how beautiful. You were/are a loving tribute to Ruth through your friendship, caring and love for her. I’m sure she knew the beauty you have within you through the faith you also share with others. God bless you.
Jeannine: I am forever changed. God bless you too!
Christina, thank you for sharing Ruth with us. You honor her and her Creator by naming what you’ve loved about her and what He has shown you through her. What a gift. I know from the one time I heard Ruth speak that she was nothing if not authentic; there was no pretense at all. I agree w/ Bonhoeffer- God holds us through the grieving, He heals, but I believe the emptiness He leaves affirms the depth of relationship. We weren’t made to say goodbye, and one day we never will again.
Amen, Diane! Goodbyes are too hard anyways 🙂 Thank you for saying that.
Christina, she was a pearl of beauty. Just like you. 🙂
thank you, friend!
I remember meeting Ruth. What a JOY she was and what an AMAZING God we share. Thank you for posting this wonderful tribute of both. May God continue to bless…
Thank you, Cindy, I believe she WILL continue to bless others through her ministry. Thank you and may God bless you too!
Thank you! Christina for sharing here – this wonderful friendship with your extraordinary friend Ruth. I didn’t know her … yet felt honored and greatly blessed while reading your story about her. I love you!
That truly means a lot, Thank you!
Thank you Christina for a beautiful tribute to Ruth and the glorious work of our Lord Jesus in her life and in yours. It will be a delight to honor her wishes and wear purple tomorrow…so appreciate you mentioning that!
Much Love,
Beth S.
Love you, Beth!
Christina, that was beautiful and very touching. I did not know your friend but after reading this, I wish I had. Thank you for sharing and for ” showing up” by writing this and all the other things you have written. God is using it for His glory!
Thank you, Christi. You know, if people say 1/4 of the things about me (pointing people to Christ) that they said about Ruth, I would be thrilled.
I really appreciate your words, Christina. After such a moving and touching service, you have summarized so dearly how many of us are now feeling. Thank you for your willingness to share your thoughts and your heart with us. Ruth was so very special, and it was God’s strength that we all saw and admired in her.
I agree, Kelly. You could see Him in her!
Thank you Christina! You captured things about Ruth (and pictures) that come from a dear friends perspective. Thank you for pointing to Jesus through Ruth’s life. That would be just what she wanted!
You too, Kathleen, point to Jesus in Ruth’s life through your beautiful sacrifices.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman from a beautiful friend. A privilege to read. Thanks for revealing your heart and sharing hers.
Thank you, Lauren!
thanks for sharing. Ruth gave a wonderful testimony years ago at Westerville Bible Church, Westerville, Ohio, Tim’s home church. We all loved her and Tim and boys. Thanks to the Lord for faithful friends and family. I am overwhelmed by your tribute to her. Praise the Lord for church family. What magnificent testimonial to Ruth, the Lord, Tim, their sons, and all who lovingly supported her.
That means a lot. Thank you for sharing. I think we are all a bit of kindred spirits with Ruth.
What a beautiful tribute. You are a true friend and one who is true.
I was with Ruth on three occasions. Twice on board a cruise ship and once in my office. Ruth didn’t teach me, she showed me. She showed me the next level and I believe she is now watching me and grinning from ear to ear. She looks like she did when she was a young wife and mother and feels no pain!
Betty: Just beautiful! And I know you are right, she has a new heavenly body. Thank you for sharing!