See the paragraph from Leibish (Jewelry) as a point of reference, and for photo credit:
A Variety of Rubies
Yesterday morning, I was reading from a dear little book my mother was giving away and in that book was a little chapter on the study of Proverbs 31. I couldn’t help but think of my friend Stephanie from At Home (currently a private blog) because she is striving hard to awake early and settle early too I assume.
It is funny the strength that comes from synergy, because ever since my friend Stephanie has been awaking early, I too have been having greater success in that venue. I told Stephanie I often felt like a train had run over me and trying to pull that out of bed was…well like redeeming the dead. But with her desire, friendship and example, I find myself waking up earlier like I had wanted to, too! And loving it. Stephanie is one of those Proverb 31 ladies, that’s for sure!
If you do click on the photo link and read about the ruby, you will find reference to a few things that were healing for me personally to hear, in my search to feel of my personal worth this morning, in light of studying Proverbs 31, and in researching the ruby for context. God helps little coincidences happen when we need a pick me up. One is the desirability of the pigeon blood red ruby. It so happens that my nick-name is “Pidgeon!” coined from dear sisters! sisters.
Second, I love that rubies represent love, success, passion, integrity and promise. Those are all adjectives that I can’t help but think…why not?
Third, the above article notes upon the hardness of the gem. I was thinking about the song by Cat Stevens this morning, “Hard Headed Woman.” Bless my mother’s heart, I think she knows well that she birthed a hard headed woman. And in light of that fact, I often hear how much she adores Riley, and what a great guy he is, and atleast I have him!! He just may be the favorite of us two…and if not, well, there is a pretty big crush there. 
I know she’s in love with the fact that he’s so in love with me, which is why she cherishes him. Well I know these compliments of Riley aren’t in any way meant to be back handed compliments of me, but I can’t but help to think that in her mind, she just might sometimes think…he puts up with a lot!! I say this tongue and cheek as every daughter knows that they are cherished till the end of time by their mothers, and their mother’s know better than anyone else all their amazing qualities.
But ole Cat, he says, “I’m look’n for a hard headed woman…(headed woman) one who will make me do my best…and when I find my hard headed woman…I know the rest of my life will be blessed, blessed, yes!”
I like how there are a variety of rubies depicted in the picture above, as it reminds me of all the rubies out there, representing godly women. In real life, women and their personalities, vary a lot more than a few different sizes and shapes, to my mind than just the ruby. But the qualities of a ruby can be strengthened and developed in each of us, to the point where the ruby represents, our very heart.
In light of some of the insights I gained from my mom’s little book, Keepers at Home, let me share a few thoughts and words from the scriptures for your personal gem feast:
10 ¶Who can find a avirtuous bwoman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely atrust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. And others can trust in her too, trust that she loves them, trust that she is doing her best to share her happiness, trust that if she hurts in any way, accidental or otherwise, she will repair, and trust that she will change in the ways she needs to nourish a relationship.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her ahands. Willingly is a really key word here, I found it in my patriarachal blessing. Something I haven’t always shown enough of as new assignments were given me.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. How important is providing food for your family? Waking early. Putting the needs of little ones first. Sharing what you can with others, too.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She develops her talents and uses them confidently.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. How much strength does it take to be true to the ruby heart inside every woman? Much much strength.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. The book I read from my mother said the candle referred to enduring to the end at the end of the day, both in kindness (can be tough) and in finishing those chores up…cleaning up that kitchen…just one more time…that you can waken the next day not being dreadfully behind, just because you couldn’t possibly clean it again the previous day.
The prior phrase, My life long, I’ve struggled with ‘knowing my merchandise is good’ that inner glow of confidence I waffle in. But Varenka, from Anna Karenina, a small but insightful side character, is completely resilient to how she is perceived, and yet, she is always saturated, head, hand and heart, with lifting the heads that hang low:
“Varenka made–simply and naturally as she did everything–”
(Varenka has a beautiful song voice, and performed. “You have an extraordinary talent”…(said the princess) Varenka: “I am very glad it gives you pleasure,” Varenka answered simply. Kitty looked with pride at her friend. She was enchanted by her talent, and her voice, and her face, but most of all by her manner, by the way Varenka obviously thought nothing of her singing and was quite unmoved by their praises….
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the adistaff. Again she is poised in her talents. She feeds and clothes her children. It seems that her talents are such that they bless her family.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the apoor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is unselfish in the sharing of her goods and talents.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She is a woman prepared for the winter, prepared for the storms of life.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her aclothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. The book my mom had given us pointed out that this meant her actions gave her husband a good name and reputation. She not seeking to stand out above him but to glorify him.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her aclothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. What she chooses for apparel is not as important as that what those clothing represent, the strength and honor she has within.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of akindness.
Yesterday I read Proverbs 3:12-13. Because of my current pride, this really quite stung. But this morning I am feeling so happy to know the Lord corrects us because he wants us to be completely successful! The scripture goes on to saying how wisdom is such a sought after gift. And that mouth that when opened, that is ruled by wisdom, and the law of kindness to be our ideal. I seek wisdom and knowledge of how God would act, like I’d seek a ruby, or even more rare…a red diamond! 12 For whom the Lord loveth he acorrecteth; even as a bfatherthe son in whom he delighteth.
13 ¶aHappy is the man that findeth bwisdom, and the man that getteth cunderstanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of aidleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. I thank my husband and my children. My children chide and correct or complain, but they also bless my name. My husband is so good, he guides me, and always doth praise my name, bless him!
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and abeauty is vain: but a woman that bfeareth the Lord, she shall be praised. I realize that favour is deceitful because I find people are holding back. I wish I had more beauty, I will not lie. Ok, so that I’ll wait till heaven for. But I realize I need to fear the Lord more, to become peaceful, sure and content, and never over-bearing, as Varenka. If I fear the Lord completely, my vices will one day far ahead, be done away.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Oh when my life is over I hope my fruit is delicious.
…I can see her, smiling and glowing as she always has, with the follies of her youth all purged out, her gentle tongue no more or little does it utter than what will concisely gently drop like honey due from her lips to nourish, strengthen, encourage, brighten and protect.
I see you too, becoming your dream woman, the Ideal Lady of Proverbs 31. Good luck on your journey!
What a beautiful post. I love YOU dearly. Wish my life better reflected the warm glow of the ruby. I think we miss so much when we don’t review the Proverbs more regularly.
I rise up and call you blessed! Thank you for you and the wonderful resources too you’ve given us in life to help your daughters all become like rubies!