The Most Beautiful Woman I Know.....

 Photo by Susan Enjaian Wood


I first saw Ruth at church,
on Easter.
She was singing "Power of The Cross".
She sang beautifully.
When she was finished, everyone in the church stood up and 
applauded.  And her response was to point her finger up toward 
heaven.

I will never forget that.

I saw some slight disfigurement on her face but barely noticed.   I knew I wanted to meet her.
I really believe God purposed that in my heart.
I introduced myself in the hall on the way to Sunday School 
class.  I was new.  I felt a little awkward.

She was so nice.  She told me about the rare cancer she had and 
that she had to have part of her jaw removed.  There was 
something about her, I couldn't put my finger on it.

Joy?

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all 
circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ 
Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

She gave me a brochure of her testimony, "Finding Hope Through Suffering."  I couldn't wait to read it.

In Sunday school class that Easter morning, the teacher asked for prayer for Ruth (I realized it was the woman I had just met).
The cancer had come back.  Oh no.

I tried to listen to the Sunday School teacher but was drawn to the brochure again and again.  Wow.  She had joy.  I saw it.
How?

Would I?

My circumstances seemed so utterly unimportant.  Sunday School seemed so utterly unimportant.  My perspective changed.

Wow.

I thought about her for days.

Getting to know her, I asked if she would speak to our Hunger & Thirst prayer group and she agreed.

Ruth told us her whole story.  She spoke of the horrifying details.  She told of the pain (physical, mental, and spiritual), the hurts, the fear, the sacrifices.

I still saw beauty.

She played the song, "Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me

We all sat in silence and listened.  In awe.

She ate through a tube in her tummy that night.  It was humbling.

We laughed.  We cried.

Some of the hurts the women brought to the meeting included; a husband with MS, alcoholism, a death in the family, financial troubles, a recent miscarriage, and more.

She told us that all of our hurts were just as valid as before she came.  That they were no less significant despite her sufferings. 
Although impossible to conceive, we believed her.
She was right.

When she left, we were all changed.

She just gets more and more beautiful the more I know her.

Then just last year, she felt a lump in her temple and the cancer was back.  Again.  With a vengeance.  Her surgery was more intrusive.  More painful.  More scarring.

  "The Lord does not look at the things man looks 
at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at 
the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Funny thing, the first time I saw her just after coming back from her surgery & recovery was in the graveyard at our church.

On Easter.

Her husband wheeled her there as the Easter Sunrise Service had just started.   I thought she was even more beautiful in her bravery.

 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting:  but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  Proverbs 31:30

Later, at another prayer meeting, some friends and I asked if she would speak to our homeschool group with her talk that she directed towards students.  She did.

(3 Photos by Neecie Herndon)

 

 

                                              
It was Powerful.

What an awesome thing for children to see someone who constantly points UP.
My kids see love.  And they give it back.  Gabrielle rushes to hug her every time they meet.  Even she sees it.  And she is only 3.  Abigail painted her nails once and loved on her.  But Abigail was the one who was blessed.

It is life changing.

Ruth could be the woman next door.  She is just an average mom.  She has the same hopes, dreams, and fears we do.  Just like you or me ...
....but really....
... she is becoming more like Him.  I can see Him in her.

Fighting (a verb) cancer for 11 years.  A homeschool mama in the midst of the craziness.   Two beautiful boys full of strength and love and fear for their mom.  An Amazing husband, the kind you don't often see.

She is incredible. 

                                                      Photo by Cassy Mirich

                                          Photo by Susan Enjaian Wood

Ruth's sense of humor puts you at ease, throws you off balance, blows your mind, cheers your soul, and refreshes your spirit.
Just knowing her is a blessing.  She is a kindred spirit.

Constantly pointing up.
Giving God glory in her suffering.
That we would all be so wise.

My beautiful friend.

I want to be like her when I grow up...........the most beautiful woman.




Photo by Neecie Herndon

"Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and 
wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes – but the inner person 
of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil 
spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."
1Peter 3:3-4

If you would like to know more about this amazing woman and Bright Hope Ministries or to hear her words pierce your heart...
Contact Ruth Moran at www.caringbridge.org/visit/ruthmoran
She is available for speaking engagements for women's groups, retreats, conferences, schools (assemblies/classrooms), churches, youth groups, luncheons, homeschool groups, etc...  Donations accepted and appreciated.
Also, please pray for Ruth and her family.