Ruth "Beatie" Craig

Tender Hearted...And Tough as Nails

On Wednesday morning, June 10, 2009, our dear sister in Christ, Ruth Craig, known affectionately as “Beatie,” and to many as “Aunt Beatie,” departed this life to be with the Lord. Although I had only known her and Dewey (also known as “Hopper,” or “Uncle Hop”) since 2003, three worthy traits stand out in my mind that, if followed by all, would make this world a better place.

First, Ruth was committed to her Lord and husband. Very rarely would we ever see Ruth without Dewey when they attended church services. They were always together, and often as they approached the door, one of them would say, “Slow but sure.” Their health was not always the best, but they made the effort to be present because they put God first (Mt. 6:33). Ruth and Dewey were married for fifty-eight years, four months, and ten days. While many do not even live this long, Ruth and Dewey were faithfully married to one another for almost six decades! When they said, “I do,” they really meant it! Dewey revealed two keys that contributed to their successful marriage: (1) they never lost faith in each other; and (2) they never went to bed angry with one another (cf. Eph. 4:26). These traits reflect the principles that God sets forth for an ideal marriage (Gen. 2:18-25; Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:7). Imagine if every married person in our society had the same commitment to the Lord and his or her spouse as did Ruth? We know that in those fifty-eight years of marriage there were some very difficult times, but through faithfulness to God and one another, they were able to persevere and strengthen their love for one another!

Second, Ruth was tender hearted. This compassion was evident in her life. Much of her career was spent as a certified nursing assistant, and, as we know, especially during her working days, only those with a heart of compassion and a desire to help people in need can be truly successful in the nursing field. Perhaps the best demonstration of Ruth’s tender-heartedness is seen in her family commitments. As many of us know, she and Dewey adopted two children from another family member in order to keep the children together and to help with their relatives’ struggle. Whether or not adopted children are blood-related, there is still a tremendous sacrifice and commitment on the part of the adopting parents, especially when they already have children. Ruth was willing to make this sacrifice in order for those children to have a stable and loving home. Only a heart of compassion could make this possible! Another family situation that showed great compassion was Ruth’s commitment to take care of her cousin, whom she viewed more as a son, who lived next door. Though this did not demand as much as raising children, it still showed a level of tender-heartedness and commitment. God wants His children to be “kind one to another, tenderhearted” (Eph. 4:32). Imagine if everyone had the tender-heartedness of our sister Ruth. In an age where mothers ditch their newborn babies in dumpsters and live-in boyfriends abuse children entrusted to their care, we could use many more, like Ruth, with a tender heart and the willingness to put it into practice!

Third, Ruth was very strong, or tough as nails. In her early married days, she and Dewey worked as migrant workers. Though Ruth was originally from the Winter Haven area, she went as far away as Michigan to pick fruit when it was in season. As they traveled, they would stop in Alabama to do the same, and, of course, Florida citrus also awaited their laboring hands. The traveling and living arrangements may not have always been the best, but Ruth always made the best of them. Perhaps Ruth’s toughness and courage was best displayed in her last weeks upon this earth. Cancer is a terrible disease, but Ruth took it head on, with the Lord on one side and Dewey and her family on the other. In our day, many people equate toughness with rebelliousness or the attitude, “No one’s going to tell me what to do!” True toughness, however, is when one continues pressing on no matter what may be the outside pressures or circumstances. Ironically, this is exactly what the Lord means by meekness. For example, the Bible says that “Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3), yet in the very context, his own brother and sister were rebelling against his leadership (Num. 12:1-2). This did not deter Moses from doing what was right! Jesus even identified Himself as being meek (Mt. 11:29). Though the world may have considered Jesus weak, we know the true toughness He had when He “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). Ruth did her best to do what was right no matter the circumstances around her. Think of how better this world would be if everyone would follow the Biblical principles of true toughness!

We will certainly miss our sister Ruth Craig, especially her husband of fifty-eight years and the family whom she loved so much. Yet, if we know God’s word and the life Ruth lived, we are confident she is in a much better place, a place where “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Heaven is not a place for perfect people, for none of us would qualify, but it is a place for people who are committed to the Lord, tender-hearted, and tough enough to overcome the distractions of this world to meekly obey the Lord’s will. May we live our lives in such a way that we will meet with the Lord and His faithful into eternity!