Hidden Rubies

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. ~Proverbs 8:11~

The ruby is the birthstone for July. It was my Mother's birthstone and she had an imitation ruby ring that I inherited when she passed away over forty years ago. I never wear it anymore because it's so fragile but went today and got it out of my jewerly box so I could share it's beauty with you.

Red is my favorite color so I've always been fasinated with anything ruby-colored. I have a small ruby red bowl that also belonged to Mama. So it was not remarkable that I saw the "hidden rubies" last Sunday. I had on a plain black and silver bracelet.

Or at least I had always thought it plain until I was driving home from church a few days ago. I had my right hand on the top of the steering wheel when I noticed something red out of the corner of my eye. I glanced down to see what it was and there were several sparkling red spots in the black "stones" of my bracelet. Was I seeing things? I moved my hand around a little and looked again. Sure enough, they were still there! It was something about the way the sun was shining and reflecting on them I think. I found a wide shoulder on the road, pulled over and took a picture of the bracelet with my phone. I wasn't sure any of the "hidden rubies" would show up but they did a tiny bit. Not nearly as pretty or bright as in real life but maybe you can see what I'm talking about.

Just a bit down the road I had to make a left-hand turn and head north. The sun was no longer shining on the steering wheel and the "rubies" were gone. Then I began to wonder if I had been imagining things! I looked at that bracelet a multitude of times on the rest of the way home but never saw the "rubies" again.

Sunday afternoon I got the brightest flashlight we have and shined it in front of, behind, and around my bracelet hoping to see the rubies again. Nothing but the plain black bracelet. Finally I decided to brave the 100 degree heat and went outside to hold the bracelet up to the sun. That did the trick. Then I was sure. It was only the sun that brought the "rubies" to life!!

I'm not sure why but then I started thinking about people. Especially women. Have you ever been at town running errands and seen a woman who to many was invisible? Maybe she was old. Plain. Wrinkled. Dirty. Uneducated. Poorly dressed. Pretty much just the opposite of everything we are told by the world that we have to be or we are worthless. And then maybe did you talk to her? And she smiled. And the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth turned into smile lines? And maybe though uneducated she had a wisdom that you don't see everyday? It could be that her clothes were not the latest style but handmade which revealed a skill she had learned sometime in the past. Some people may look plain....just like I thought my bracelet was...until the "rubies" start lighting up.

We can be so quick to judge others with a quick look. But when the SON shines just right on them, we can see the "hidden rubies" glowing with a beautiful red hue. As I said, red is my favorite color so I'm going to be looking for more"rubies" in the plainest places from now on!

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.~Proverbs 31:10~

I hope you will see some "hidden" rubies in your life this week! Please let me know if you do!!

Marilyn