Talking with God


I had a lot on my mind last night. There were a lot of things troubling me and I was thinking about blogging about them today. You see I watched the news and there was one bad story after another. It is really depressing to watch the news. But this morning I decided that posting about the bad things would only spread more bad vibes so I am instead going to post about something else. But before I do, here are the items that I found upsetting:

Pirates of the non Caribbean kind,
Our leader bowing to the wrong king,
Degrading video going unchallenged,
Power grid hackers considered not a big deal,
Selective reporting based on politics,

I can discuss any of these if you so desire or if you are interested but I am not going to bog down my blog with the details. Besides this is Easter week and there are more important things to talk about. This morning at the gym, I was talking with my new friend “Pastor Frank” about Easter Sunrise Services. Have you ever been to one? They are usually very moving and inspirational. They are also symbolic of the dawning of a new day which is what Easter is all about. We would get all dressed up and go down to the beach and watch the sunrise and feed the sand gnats while the preacher gave a brief service. But talking about Sunrise Service, also reminded me of Dr. Ruth.

Dr. Ruth was a lady that went to our church back when we were Seventh Day Baptists. She was an odd woman who lived by herself in a big house in Daytona Beach. I say odd because she was different and as a child, I heard many people refer of her as being odd. I think different would be more fitting than odd. She was different, very different but in good ways.

I don’t know what kind of doctor she was but I am guessing that she was a homeopathic physician. At least that is what she struck me as being. There weren’t very many female physicians in those days so that by itself made her different. She never wore makeup and her hair was long and straight. She often wore floor length dresses that were plain and simple. She didn’t believe in killing anything. Not people, animals or bugs. If a bug or mouse got in her house, she would simply catch it and then let it go outside. She said that God made all things and we should never destroy what God has made.

She was a God loving woman who always went to church but more importantly practiced what the preacher preached. She would help anyone who needed help including homeless people. She would give you the clothes off her back if you asked her for them. She enjoyed working with children and she introduced me to Pumpkin seed ice-cream. She was considered a health nut before they were popular. She was quiet, kind and gently and never violent.

The reason that I thought of her this morning was because Sunrise Services remind me of her. One of her favorite things to do was to ride over to the beach before dawn and sit alone and watch the sun rise. Sometimes she would bring along devotional readings but other times she would just sit quietly and talk to God. She didn’t mind telling anyone this either. She said that she enjoyed being alone with God. A few years back, I heard that Dr. Ruth passed away. She was very old and still living alone. She died one morning, sitting on the beach, watching the sunrise and talking to God. I bet she is still talking with God today.

Have a wonderful day,
Greg

Comments

What a moving ending to a post. I would want to go doing my favroite thing too. It's nice to think she and God decided to have lunch at His place.
Terri Tiffany said…
I loved your story about this woman!! Excellent and moving.
We chose to stop watching so much news. It works. We find ourselves less depressed and more focused on our daily lives. Blessings to you!
Scarlet said…
What a touching story. I can just picture Dr. Ruth at the beach talking with God and I envy her.

Lately, I've been having a hard time talking to God...but the inspirational book I mentioned to you ("90 Minutes in Heaven") is helping. I'm waking up to Him again slowly...but surely. :)
Angie said…
*goosebumps*

It's a shame there aren't more Dr. Ruths in the world.

When I watch the news I realize that God is truly longsuffering...not willing that any would perish, but that all would come to repentance.

Keep talking, Greg.

I will too.
larkswing said…
Fabulous post! We went camping the end of last week which equated to fun AND no tv. I realized into the beginning of the week how much easier life was without the gloom and doom and the frustration of biased media and the exalting of a human beyond anything I have seen.
I did not miss it (news) and will continue to limit it.

Thanks for the wonderful Easter post!
sandy said…
I loved reading about Dr. Ruth thanks for sharing that, made me remember that there is one real place to go when burdened or when just expressing appreciation for life. I know what you mean about the things happening in the world.

Nice post Greg.
Debbie said…
What an amazing woman she must have been. I'm happy she died like she did. It sounds like the way she would have chosen to go.
sage said…
I'm glad I stopped here today, jumping over from Scarlet's blog. Nice story! I grew up on the coast in NC and remember sunrise services on the beach.
Kelly said…
Okay, I have to admit I'm laughing. I can't help it, when you say "Dr. Ruth" my mind goes to another Dr Ruth (Westheimer.) LOL!

Okay, really, that was a sweet & moving post...I just wish her name had been Dr Rebecca, or Dr Pam or Dr Delores...anything but Dr Ruth.

And I avoid watching the news for all the reasons you suggested. It's a big bad world out there.
Becky said…
What a beautiful way to go. We would have to do sunset services here to see the sun touch the water.
Lori said…
beautiful tribute!

Lori
My ADHD Me said…
"She died sitting on the beach talking to Gpd"

I can't think of a better way to go.

Good for you for not giving in to all the negativity!
B His Girl said…
Way to go, Dr. Ruth. I want to be in mid sentence on earth and lose my thoughts as I see Jesus' face in Heaven. B
Sharon said…
Wow what a post, that gave me some serious God bumps!
It's a good day, because we have Jesus in our life!
Have a Great Resurrection Sunday!
Beverlydru said…
I would have gotten along really well with Dr. Ruth. And I also love sunrise services!
Wow. What a wonderful, peaceful way to die. Doing what she loved to do in a beautiful setting.

Great story. A wonderful way to start the weekend.

Thanks for focusing on lifting us up.
Jamie Dawn said…
What a wonderful and moving post. When you said Dr. Ruth, I at first thought you were referring to the famous sex therapist, Dr. Ruth. But you told us of this wonderful woman that you knew. She is indeed still talking with God.
Thanks for sharing this!

Happy Easter Weekend to you and your family!!!
Monogram Queen said…
Wow I would have really loved Dr. Ruth! I have never been to a sunrise service.
Carmen said…
Dr. Ruth sounds peculiar. But then, that's what we should all be, according to the Bible! I would have loved to know her! Wonderful tribute, Greg. Have a good Easter!
Wanda said…
What a beautiful and moving story Greg about Dr. Ruth. I wish there were more people like her as role models.

When we lived in Santa Barbara...the beach and ocean were the best place to talk to God.

The list of things that disturb you also disturb me... but glad you shared Dr. Ruth with us instead.

Love and Hugs
Wanda
Edie said…
Oh wow. I have to say that would be the best way to leave this earth and step into our new Home.

Have an abundantly blessed celebration of the RISEN LORD!
sara said…
that was such a great post!

I always enjoyed going to sunrise services while we lived in Tx...it was warm enough to have one! I haven't been to one in over 10 years. On the beach sounds wonderful!

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