Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: LOVE (08/03/23)
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TITLE: Ruby | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Kliewer
08/10/23 -
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“You ain't no gem, Ruby! Your ma and pa should have given you a different name. When I come home after loggin' all day, I 'spect my supper to be on the table! But instead, here you is, pickin' wild flowers!”
Grabbing her by the arms, Joe shook her hard, then pushed her to the floor. Standing over her with a hard look in his eyes, she had never seen before, he raised his fist. Ruby quivered, a look of terror on her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the blow. It didn't come. He stomped out of the tiny cabin, shouting as he went, “I'm leavin' you and I ain't never comin' back. You ain't worth me lookin' at ever agin!”
~~~
As she thought about how her husband of just a few months had treated her the day before, she bowed her head to her chest in defeat, tears trailing down her cheeks. She swiped them away with fisted hands.
In this moment love of a husband didn't seem to be what she thought it would be, as it barely peeked through the cracks of the rough hewn door of her heart.
Shivering, this time, because of the coldness her heart felt at how she'd been treated, she glanced around the tiny cabin, with it's one lone window, dirty with grime. She had tried to keep everything clean, but with a dirt floor, that was a never ending task.
Ruby got up, went to the door, opened it, and stood gazing at the sun dappled forest of pines spread out before her, as her thoughts turned again to what Joe had said to her, that she was no gem... Even so, a small smile tugged at her mouth, as, through the pain she was feeling, she remembered her pa, gone now these many years. He had shown her what real love was. “Pumkin' you're the best gift that God coulda given a man. I'm so blessed that you were born to me and your ma. You truly are my Ruby – a gem worth lovin' and takin' care of. Don't you ever forgit that.”
She'd been so hopeful that Joe would treat her as her pa had, and for the first few weeks of their marriage, he did. She was a mail order bride though, so she knew they would have to grow into love. It was hard for Joe to be gone all day, struggling to make a living in this harsh land, and come home to no supper on the stove. She wished she had been more mindful of the time. Ruby vowed to do better if he returned, and she truly hoped with all her heart that he would.
She wanted to learn to love him the way her ma and pa had loved each other. Pa often told her that real love came from the love God gave them; that they in turn could give to others.
“Ruby, you remember what the Bible says. Love is kind, never jealous, doesn't stand proud and tall, it doesn't get bent out of shape, or want it's own way. Love doesn't keep track of wrong doin', but just keeps on givin', just like Jesus gave to us.”
Her eyes still on the beautiful trees, she whispered a simple prayer, “Lord, please bring Joe back to me and help me love 'im as you have taught me in your Word. Amen.”
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