A ruby is a precious gem. Rare. Perhaps flawed in some way. But still valuable.
Ruby Smith Crane
I recently read about a child named Ruby Smith (her married name was Crane).
In World War I, her father was a gardener at a hospital that cared for soldiers who had been blinded in the war.
Ruby, who was three years old, would see a soldier navigating on the grounds, and ask him where he was going. Then she would take his hand and walk with him. Talking with him and doing what she could to help.
Most of us think the “help” a three-year-old might give wouldn’t really be help. Out of love, we act like they are helping. And we praise them and make them feel like they have done the greatest thing in the world. And when they are napping, we clean up any mess they have made in their efforts.
So imagine being a blind, war-weary, traumatized soldier, and feeling a little hand in yours. And a child’s voice asking if they can help you get to where you are headed.
I don’t know how those men felt. Perhaps grateful to have help. Or maybe grieving the life they had before the horrors of war blotted out any beauty they would ever see again.
What I do know, is that Ruby was three years old. And there was a lot she couldn’t do. She certainly wasn’t “powerful” in the way some define it.
But she helped in the ways she could.
And the power of that is still resonating over 110 years later.
Every Human Being Is A Ruby
Each of us is a ruby.
Precious. Rare. Perhaps flawed in some way. But still valuable.
And each of us can act to help in the ways we can.
Regardless of how others may feel about how we are helping. And whether or not people consider us “powerful”.
No matter what you can’t do, you can be someone’s Ruby.
Because isn’t helping in the ways we can, one of the most powerful things any of us can do?
In what ways do you show your Ruby power?
RUBY – In what ways do you show your Ruby power? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
You have reminded me that little things that we do can mean so much to someone else. Thank you for sharing this, Joni
Thanks for reading and sharing, Jacqui. I’m grateful the post was helpful. 🙂
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing his, Joni.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Phyllis. I hope my post was helpful.
I loved this post and it made me think of my granddaughter, Phoebe, who is one year old. She learned very early to make and aw… sound and pat her baby doll on the back because that’s what her parents do to her. Recently I was taking care of her and every time I changed her diaper and picked her up she snuggled into my neck and I could feel her tiny hand patting me on the back. That feeling is ingrained in my memory as I’m sure the feeling of Ruby’s tiny hand in the big hands of those men, became ingrained in their memory and made them feel God’s love. Sometimes it’s the small things that mean the most.
Your post makes me want to definitely be a “Ruby”. ☺️
Thank you for sharing your sweet story, Jane. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Great example. Thank you for the reminder that we all have e something to offer.
Thank you for reading, Tim. I’m glad my post was helpful to you. I appreciate your support!