For Ruby

I have a friend named Ruby, a sister in Christ, truly; who’s life has been as precious as the gem of her namesake. Throughout her journey, in this world of woes, she has expressed, in poetry and prose, thanks for her every blessing enjoyed, and her love for others, reflecting that of her Savior. Her light did shine before mankind, and her heart has been written down. And as I write this day, Ruby is about to depart this world of woes, to be with the One of her poetry and prose; to live together forever, in a world of precious gems, where for eternity, she can write her praises to God, in heart felt, poetry and prose.

A poet I am not, but I wish to dedicate this week to Ruby Leonard, by sharing a few lines about life and living, just as she has done, for you to contemplate.

UNTITLED by W.J.A Rowe: “When things go wrong, as they sometimes will; When the road you're trudging seems all uphill; When the funds are low and the debts are high; And you want to smile but have to sigh; When care is pressing you down a bit; Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Success is failure turned inside out; The silver lining of the seeds of doubt; And you can never tell how close you are; It may be near when it seems so far. So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit; It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.”

 “The Indispensable Man” by Saxon White Kessinger: “Sometimes, when you're feeling important; Sometimes, when your ego's in  bloom; Sometimes, when you take it for granted; You're the best qualified in the room. Sometimes, when you feel that your going; Would leave an unfilled hole; Just follow this simple instruction, and see how it humbles your soul: Take a bucket and fill it with water; Put your hand in it up to the wrist; Pull it out and the hole that's remaining; Is a measure of how you'll be missed. You may splash all you please when you enter; You can stir up the water galore; But stop, and you'll find in a minute; That it looks quite the same as before. The moral of this quaint example; Is to do just the best that you can; Be proud of yourself, but remember; There is no indispensable man.”

 [James 4:14] “...What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” This 'quote' was found, scrawled on the wall below a Star of David, by American soldiers searching the cellar of a bombed-out house in one of the war-torn cities of Germany. It seemed very profound in so many ways. It could mean something to so many people in so many different circumstances. "I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining. I believe in love, even when I do not feel it. I believe in God, even when He is silent."

Mahatma Gandhi said, "The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems." Author unknown: "Only when you have caught the last fish in the sea and cut down the last tree in the forest will you realize that you cannot eat money."

UNTITLED by Henry Longfellow: “What then? Shall we sit idly down and say; The night hath come, it is no longer day? Something remains for us to do, or dare; Even the oldest tree some fruit may bear. For age is opportunity no less; Than youth itself, though in another dress. And as the evening twilight fades away; The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.” Me-ism cannot replace the truth and peace known in Christ Jesus.