Beauty from Ashes 2

In ‘Beauty for Ashes’, I tell the story of Jennie Butchart’s wonderful garden on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and describe our visit last month. I quoted the wonderful Biblical promise made to the people of ancient Judah who were in exile, Isaiah chapter 61 vs 3:

“To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”

Here’s a very different ‘beauty from ashes’ story that was so moving, I had to repeat it.

-o-O-o-

1940’s – A hospital bed in Buffalo, New York state

Ruth gazed in despair at the visiting priest, then at the four walls that defined her world. A house fire had left her with ‘life-changing injuries’, which meant her spending several months in the hospital where she now lay. She looked into his eyes and asked, “Without my legs, what’s the point of living?”

It was a conversation they’d often had, but the priest hadn’t given up. Finally summoning the embers of faith that she had left, Ruth cried, “Lord, if you can give me back my legs in some form or other, I’ll use everything I’ve got to serve you.”  

-o-O-o-

Mid-to-late1950’s

Auntie Ruth, as she was known, smiled as she gently draped the vestment around Michael Curry’s small shoulders. Ah yes, another few tweaks of the needle and that should fit him perfectly. On the wall opposite leant her crutches, which enabled her to walk slowly on her artificial legs. Much of her time was spent in church, where she served coffee on a Sunday and used her skills as a seamstress to create beautiful garments for those altar boys too small to wear a size you could buy.

Ruth’s affectionate beam and her encouraging welcome made the boys’ service a joy. Of the seven altar boys in Michael’s age group, six went on to be ordained. When Michael became a deacon, Ruth came to the service. Afterwards, glowing with pride, she told him,

“Where you go, I go. Your legs are my legs. God has answered my prayers.”

Michael, who told the story (‘Thy Kingdom Come’ 2025, Day 4) is a retired episcopal bishop. He was until recently the primate of the U.S.A, the first African American to hold this positon. You may remember him as the preacher at Prince Harry and Megan Markel’s wedding.