What's in a name?

She walked into the cafe where we had planned to meet and smiled warmly at the waitress that greeted her. I watched her scan the crowd and waved when her eyes settled on me. She smiled and slid into the booth across from me.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous. When the waitress walked over to take our order, I breathed a sigh of relief and tried to gather my thoughts. I felt like I was about to interview a movie star or something.

Once we had our coffee and cake (yes, even Ruby has a weakness for chocolate, it seems...), we got down to business. I had so many questions for her. How did she become so wise? What was it that she had done to be so successful? Was being the "ideal woman" a goal of hers, or did it just kind of happen? And how did she get the name Ruby?

We had a lot to talk about, and she was gracious enough to give me a little insight into her world. Guess what? She's not that different from you and me...

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

I read a story in a magazine once about a woman that got a very unique engagement ring. Instead of a diamond, which is expected, her fiance gave her a ruby. She was confused at first, but didn't want to ask him why he didn't get her a diamond because she wasn't sure how he would take the question. She loved her ring, diamond or not, and happily said "yes" and agreed to become his bride.

Later, when she got home, she was looking at the ring and realized that there was an inscription on the band. It said "Proverbs 31:10." Of course, she found her Bible and flipped to the passage. There she read "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." After reading the verse, she called her fiance and thanked him again for her extra special ring - a reminder of how much he loved and valued her.

I can't remember what magazine I was reading, but I have never forgotten the story. I love that this woman and her husband have such a special, godly connection. That's something I hope to find someday.

And it made her question why a diamond is the accepted gem chosen for engagement rings instead of rubies...

What's so special about a ruby anyway? Why would the writer of this proverb compare a virtuous woman to that particular gem? Well, I did a little research (www.middletownchurch.org/homefam/prov31.htm) and found out that in Bible times, a ruby may have actually been a rare pink pearl. Pink pearls were only found in clams in the Red Sea and they were extremely rare. Anyone that had one valued it greatly.

Proverbs 31 was written as a guide for young men to help them know how to find a good wife. The writer wanted to stress to them that a good wife is hard to find, and that once you find one, you should value her as you would a precious jewel.

So what does that mean for women like us today? Well, think about the way you live. Are you living a virtuous life? Are you walking in a way that makes your Heavenly Father proud? Can He look at your life and smile and say that you are as precious as a ruby?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell
as sweet." Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 1-2)

Ruby stirred some sugar into her coffee and smiled. "I love my name," she said. "It reminds me how special and unique God made me. And I wouldn't want to be called anything else."