Ruby reminded me of Tabitha in Acts 9. I met Ruby when I was a young Christian in London. I had just been baptized and someone told me that a lady named Ruby had paid for me and a couple of other sisters to attend the Boston Women's Day.That trip changed my life. It gave me a vision to do great things for God as a young woman.I will be forever thankful to Ruby for giving me that opporunity.
Years later my family moved to Kansas City for a few months, after facing a lot of persecution on the mission field. Ruby opened her heart and home to us,even letting us use her car and babysitting for us.
Most of us remember Ruby for her hospitality, her generosity and her wisdom. What many of us did not know is how courageous she was. Ruby loved people and she loved children, yet God did not give her physical children in her life. So many women face that pain. Month after month hopes are shattered. It is very hard for someone who has such a big heart. For many of us, this would lead to resentment towards God or even bitterness. Ruby took it all in her stride. She would share her sadness but she graciously accepetd God's will for her life. I never heard her complain even once about not having children of her own.
She "adopted" other people's children and the young people in the church as "her children". When God blessed her with her second marriage later in life (to a wonderful man, Richard Ulm) He also blessed her with several stepchildren and grandchildren.
Ruby's understanding of God enabled her to smile and be calm through the things that could have made her negative. She refused to give in to lack of faith.
Some women do great and bold things. Ruby was a woman of faith and tremendous courage but she also had a beautiful, gentle and quiet spirit, and this is of great worth in God's sight.
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