The Value of a Ruby: The Watch Letter

I am blessed to be able to help take care of my niece, Ruby, while her parents are at work, teaching and witnessing to their students during the day.

Ruby is not even two years old yet. But each day, God shows me the Godly character he has in mind for his people through her.

Gratitude,  Respect, and Care

One of her favorite words is “Thank you.” She says it every chance she can get. She even says thank you when you allow her to give you something. She is grateful if you give her a piece of paper to play with or if you put on her socks. She will also say “yes, ma’am” and “yes, sir” without being prompted. When you explain to her that something is wrong, she may not always understand or like it, but she will respond. And when she knows she is wrong, she will move her head in agreement. If she makes a mess or sees a mess, she will try to help clean it up. If she thinks something is wrong or you're hurt, she will come check on you.

Love and Zeal for the Things of God

Her other favorite word is “Bible.” She thinks every book is a Bible. She likes to pick mine up or others she sees and flip through them like she is reading.  One of her favorite songs is “B-I-B-L-E, Yes, That’s the Book for Me. I Stand Alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.”

She likes to watch children's shows that feature singing about God or Bible lessons. It's Jesus, ABCs, 123s, positive lessons, or nothing for Ruby :). She wants to be taught and to learn.

She sings and praises all day. She breaks out in praise in a heartbeat. She will pray with you and rejoice with you, too. Even lay hands on you.

Taking the Teaching

Of course, she has her moments like any other child, but she is a living testimony of how we, too, could live.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

There is one word Ruby does not like too much: “Wait.” When she wants her snacks or juice, she points and points, and shows her disappointment on her face or whimpers if you take too long. But that’s what I have done to God, too. The blessing is that Ruby shows we can change.

I have been working with her so that when she hears the word “patience,” she puts her hand down and stops rushing and winning. And she has been trying her best to wait as long as she can with her toddler-sized patience. She does not stay mad when I correct her, either; instead, she embraces me with love. Even when I make her take a nap, she wakes up smiling. I am much older, so I can do the same and more. I can learn to wait. I can learn to appreciate God’s direction, protection, and correction.

There’s a lot more we can learn from Ruby.

• Make the Bible and things about God our favorite things.

• Praise God at random and throughout the day.

• Show concern and pray for others.

• Express gratitude and respect for everything God or others give us, no matter how small or large.

• Learn how to express our desires to God, but patiently wait for his response and action.

Her parents have taught her and her older sister about the Bible, a godly lifestyle, prayer, praise, respect, care, and joy in the Lord since she was born.

Our Pastor, Chief Apostle Gunn, her grandfather, told us, even before Ruby was born and after she arrived, that God sent her into the earth. She is here to get her generation ready for the Lord’s return. And I would add that she is here to help us grown folks remember how we are supposed to be, so we can be received unto the kingdom.

Her name was very much on purpose. A ruby is symbolic of wisdom, virtue, and the richness of a godly character.

“Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good....not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans 12

The testimony of Ruby aligns with various messages the Lord has sent us saints through Chief Apostle Gunn. He is calling us to take Godly character seriously before this year is up. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

Here are some notes, questions, and reflections from those messages.

• Are you being real at the house?

• Be grateful.

• What are you teaching your children about? Did you teach them to be grateful?

• Don’t let praise be taken from you.

• Stay willing.

• Love is what you do.

• God said: I need a changed people.

• How quickly are you giving and forgiving?

• Are you letting God purify your faith? Let God in to change you.

• Do something about your wrong.

• When you’re in God, you have a flow with him, a yes for him, and a song in your heart about him.

• You must maintain your salvation and relationship with God through repentance and sincerity.

• Care more.

Hear our most recent broadcast "Glory Ahead" here: https://www.thebodyofchristinc.com/listen-in?wix-music-track-id=7478960431293002&wix-music-comp-id=comp-lrczxokb.