Far Above Rubies

Celebrating after a week of seminars in Manila

(This photo was taken on June 7, 2008)

The wonderful thing about friends
is that they can grow separately
and yet not grow apart!

- Anonymous

Today is Ruby's birthday. I want to dedicate this post to her.

I met Ruby in the springtime of my life. She was a bride to be, and I was a young wife and mother. It must have been twenty-five years ago. The exact number escapes my mind, but it doesn't really matter.

But I do remember the hope, the promise, the youthful hearts we both had, our eagerness and enthusiasm, a vision shared.

Our church was young, and we were on fire for the Lord. We were a small group of believers in a church led by a pastor and his wife who were truly Spirit-filled. Ruby and I, together with our husbands, and other friends, met as often as we could, for any reason -- be it a Bible study, somebody's birthday, an anniversary, somebody leaving, someone's homecoming, a child dedication, a burial, cooking lessons, a bountiful harvest...just about anything was an excuse to get together. We would go to the beach on Saturdays, we would have early morning breakfasts, lunch at a restaurant, dinner at someone's house.

We specialized in potlucks -- "bring your pot or trust your luck" was what we called it. In later years we eventually modified the term to potbless, "bring your pot and share your blessing," to make it sound more spiritual.

There were Christmas Cantatas, Christmas and New Year parties, Easter morning sunrise services, Holy Thursday Passover meals, and weekend get-togethers.

I was one of Ruby's eldest son's "godmothers", or sponsors, at his dedication, and William, her husband, was our daughter's "godfather."

Spring turned to summer. We were opening new ministries in the church. Our church school was born. Our families were growing. Ruby was about to have her second baby, my third child was already a toddler.

The friendship continued. We saw ourselves learning, growing, maturing. Fruits were ripening, harvest season was always just around the corner.

We weren't perfect, but that was never the focus. There were new leadership skills being acquired, unique giftings being recognized. The small group ministry was introduced, and eventually, she and her husband became the leaders of a different group, while Ernie and I were the leaders of another group.

Every friendship has its autumn and its winter... for a season, Ruby and I drifted apart. For a long time I could not understand what happened to our friendship. It was autumn, a season of stripping.

Autumn was followed by winter, a season of renewing.

But in my heart I never let go of my friendship with Ruby. I knew we were just going though a period of growth. Somehow, I know she never let go of me, too.

Well, seasons come, and seasons go.

In another spring, our hearts found their way to each other. And this is where we are now.

She and her husband have stood by us. In the past years, we have been touched by their generosity, and kindness, and willingness to walk with us beyond the first mile of duty.

During the times that I needed a shoulder to lean on, she and William have been available. I would just call her, even in the middle of the night, and they would come. No questions asked.

Our friendships fulfill different purposes, and we both have other friends who also hold a very important place in our hearts. But this is true of Ruby and her husband: they will always have a special place in our hearts as a family.

We have gone through a special bonding, joyfully working together in the same vineyard these past years, ministering God's healing to people with deep emotional wounds.

I have been blessed to have someone who believes in me, accepts me, honors me, and loves me as an older sister.

This friendship quote is an apt description of Ruby:


A friend is someone who knows you as you are,
understands where you've been,
and accepts who you've become


Our friendship has stood the test of time, has grown deep roots, and has become established in God's fertile soil.

In this season, I have rediscovered my friend Ruby; she has truly become my friend for all seasons.

--0--

Dear friend, today is your special day and I want to do something special for you.

I did a little research on the internet, and look at some of the "ruby facts" that I have come up with!


Which color would you spontaneously associate with love and vivacity, passion and power? It's obvious isn't it?

Red!

Red is the color of love. It radiates warmth and a strong sense of vitality.

Red is also the color of the ruby, the king of the gemstones.

In the fascinating world of gemstones, the ruby is the undisputed ruler.

For thousands of years, the ruby has been considered one of the most valuable gemstones on earth.

It has everything a precious stone should have: magnificent color, excellent hardness, and outstanding brilliance.

In addition to that , it is an extremely rare gemstone, especially in its finer qualities.

More "ruby facts" :

1. Ruby is distinguished and known by all for its fiery red color. The word ruby comes from the Latin word, 'ruber' which means red. Aside from its color, it is a most desirable gem due to its hardness, durability, luster, and rarity. Transparent rubies of large sizes are even rarer than diamonds. Transparent, flawless rubies exceed all other gems in value. Rubies must be transparent to possess gem value. Opaque, or semi-opaque rubies have little value.

2. Ruby is considered one of the four precious gems, together with the sapphire, the emerald, and the diamond. At one time, rubies were worth more than 7 times that of diamonds and rubies have been considered highly valuable by kings and queens throughout the ages.

3. Ruby is a red variety of the mineral corundum. Sapphire, the other gem variety of corundum, encompasses all colors of corundum aside from red. In essence, ruby is a red sapphire, since ruby and sapphire are identical in all properties except for color. The color of ruby ranges from bright red to dark reddish-brown. The most preferred color is a deep blood red with a slightly bluish hue. Such ruby is known as "Burmese Ruby" or "Pigeon's Blood Ruby." Ruby from Burma is famous for its exceptional coloring. However, Burmese ruby rarely exceeds several carats; large flawless rubies can be worth millions of dollars. Most rubies on the market are from Thailand, and these rubies have a brownish hue. They can be heat-treated to improve color. Heat treating a ruby can also increase its transparency by removing tiny internal flaws.

4. Rubies were first synthesized in 1902. Many rubies on the market are synthetic. Natural rubies are exceptionally rare, but synthetic ones (sometimes called "created ruby") are manufactured very cheaply. The process of creating synthetic rubies is known as the Vermeuil process. One has to be careful as these can be sold as "genuine" rubies. Only experts can distinguish between natural and synthetic rubies.

5. Rubies have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness just below that of diamonds. But while a ruby is a tough and durable gem, it is still subject to chipping and fracture if handled roughly.

Sources:
All About Rubies
The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom - Complete Information Guide
Gem by Gem - International Colored Gemstones Association


These facts speak for themselves; in fact, the similarities between the ruby gemstone and your real life is quite striking!

But more than these, I have known you to be a woman of wisdom.

God has many excellent things to say about wisdom in the Bible. I want to quote a few verses, before I end.


Receive my instruction, and not silver
And knowledge, rather than choice gold
for wisdom is better than rubies
And all the things one may desire
Cannot be compared with her.
Proverbs 8:10-11


Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:10-11


I'm amazed that the wisdom God has given you is of far greater value than what your name, a rare and precious gem, stands for!


May this new year of your life continue to open up the pathway leading to your eternal destiny, my dearest Ruby!