Ruth
Before writing anything in the book of Ruth, I would like to tell you about Ruth I knew.

Sister Ruth Rodriquez. Students affectionately called her Sister Rod, back in my college days. She was single, from a well-off family and became devoted to a few things in this life many would find admirable. She was first and foremost, a Christian. She loved to teach but also had a hankering for archeology.

Her interests in teaching, she carried some favorites I am sure, but her main assignment was for new students to have a firm grip on Bible Study and taught the tools available to help them to become better at independent study and to divine the word meticulously. The basics like Strong’s Concordance, Roger’s Thesaurus and Dictionary, multiple commentaries by “famous” Christian theologians, library sciences, and internet searches. AI had not yet been invented, I am sure she would have entertained a procedure and safe way to navigate it as an aid, and not an instructor.

She always carried a smile, was approachable, but could have been mistaken for a heady instructor. But after a moment or two of conversation and connection, one would find a receptive and warm soul eager to learn about them. I was not as knowledgeable about her archeology endeavors, but I did know whenever a farmer in the area dug up some artifacts, she was a part of a team that went out to investigate and dig up whatever treasures there were to unearth. Mostly American Indian burial sites I recall. She really came off as the typical professor although I do not think that was ever a title donned on anyone at the Bible Institute I attended. Sister Rod” was just fine by the students.

She became instead a motherly teacher due to her style of instruction, one hand waving to the Lord while the other was open to some favorite Bible passage, and her head cocked just slightly this way, then that to give emphasis to whatever she was reading. You had to pay attention. And all the time that warm smile and fervor expressed.
She had never married, did have a suiter or two along the way but nothing ever came of it. Except the most improbable fusion of heart and soul with one of her long times, once student, and later good friends. It evolved into a strong mother/daughter relationship that saved, both, from an otherwise lost connection. After her retirement they continued that familial bond in ways only they could appreciate, as a gift from God. She instilled a continued grace, confident smile, and esteemed character of her “daughter-charge” even after her graduation to heaven.

There was a memorial to her many years of service, aptly earned but sadly, has no mention of her nor it on the web site. Seems even good history can fade with time, but my memory will not. So that is why I am writing this about her. I will post it on the alumni page and hopefully stir some good recollections of a friend now enjoying her reward while were warm ourselves with memories of her. It is not a coincidence Ruth is a favorite book of the Bible to me. I have done written studies over it a couple of times over the years, read it many more, and am inspired to start one more study again using the cherished tools she taught me as a student over forty-seven some years ago. I will post it on my, I AM YOURS Facebook page once completed for anyone’s interest.

Thanks Sister Rod, thanks for being God inspired and passing that inspiration along to me to dig into God’s word, excavate the truths He means just for me to find, collate, and then share. Your smiling face, that nod of the head and wave of your hand are still an indelible part inside me. Could not have done without your impartation and faithfulness. Much love and appreciation from this now older but still digging student.