A 20th Century Widow With Little More Than Two Mites

    Jesus pointed out to His disciples an impoverished widow as she gave her offering in the temple. No one but the Son of God would have noticed such a scant donation, only two minuscule coins (called mites in the KJV Bible) equivalent to 1/64 of the daily wage of that era. Jesus commented that she gave more than all the other big-name contributors because in His omniscience He knew she gave all she had. Ruby Hart often comes to my mind when I read this account in Mark 12:41-44.

      102 years ago, Ruby Luna Mason was born on October 24. Mrs. Hart, as I referred to her, grew up in a loving family. Upon completing her education, Ruby served at Oklahoma Baptist Children's Home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In the 1980s, she received a pleasant surprise to meet Norma Emmons, the wife of the  Ralston Bible Church's pastor, Roy Emmons, Sr. (Norma's son, Roy, Jr., now pastors at the Ralston Bible Church.) Norma lived during her early years at the Oklahoma Children's home at the same time Mrs. Hart served there.
      Then Ruby made her life-changing connection with Ralston when Ray T. Hart began courting her. He had grown up in Ralston, Oklahoma, graduated from Ralston High School and completed his collegiate education at Oklahoma Baptist University. Soon Ruby and Ray were married.
      Ray embarked upon his ministry to small churches with limited budgets. Perhaps Bro. Hart, as he was often called, felt a kindred spirit with those tiny congregations with a scarcity of resources. He grew up in the Ralston Baptist  Church, receiving key spiritual training as his parents faithfully took their children to the church house when its location was on the corner of First Street and Main Street.
      As Ray felt a pull to mission churches, rural churches, or small town congregations, Ruby was called upon to stretch the tiny salaries that were paid to her husband. Since few of the churches could provide a living wage, she canned, shopped sales, made her clothes, as well as those of her daughters. Yet Mrs. Hart, an economical wizard working on a shoestring budget, always gave generously to the Lord's work.

Ray and Ruby Hart with daughters, Rebekah
and Ila Rae. As a couple, Ruby was the humorous
one with her husband the serious one. Ruby
laughed easily. She always laughed with her
 eyes. Her tendency to find humor in the
mundane drudgery of life brought joy 
to her family and friends.

     Her warm smile and courageous attitude infectiously impacted anyone who encountered her. She steadfastly cared for her husband in his latter years even though he didn't recognize her. As his health declined, she was thrust into decision-making such as purchasing a car and learning to drive.
     Ruby' s neighbor, Robert Bradley, agreed to accommodate the request of his wife, who had become Ruby's dear friend. Robert Bradley, with his white hair and moustache, depicted the consummate Southern gentleman with impeccable manners. With his patient demeanor, his wife felt he would be the perfect driving instructor. The first day with Ruby behind the wheel and Robert in the passenger seat, she pulled onto Highway 18 almost in front of a truck! With an unflustered exterior, but his heart rate elevated beyond a safe limit, Mr. Bradley calmly said, "Ruby, let's pull back in and park. Driving lesson's over for today."
    Soon Mr. Bradley regained his courage and resumed the driving instruction. Ruby mastered each driving maneuver and passed her driving test. Even though she began driving in her senior years, she developed into a safe driver much to the satisfaction of both of them.
     Few knew what a paltry social security payment Ruby received each month. Never did she complain or hint about needing money. In fact, she faithfully set aside a tithe (ten percent) of that tiny cbeck. She believed God would provide for her on that 90% that she had left from her meager monthly check.
     There was only one thing that Mrs. Hart ever requested from others - prayer. As she dealt with the heartbreak of her husband, the gifted pastor and Bible teacher, slowly losing recognition of who she was, she asked for prayer for him and for strength to deal with her crushing anguish. Daily, Ruby went to visit him, even though his illness pained her, but she knew her friends' prayers enabled her to deal with the ongoing sorrow.

Ruby Luna Mason Hart in 1976

       Following Brother Ray's passing, once again Ruby treasured each prayer that was offered on her behalf. With the courage God had given her thoughout her life, in her senior years, she "reinvented" herself, mastering solo excursions, reaching out to help meet the needs of others with her limited financial resources, and always seeking and praying for each of her loved ones and church family to deepen their relationship and commitment to the Lord.
       Ruby' s strong courage grounded in her unshakable faith carried through her fight with cancer. In her weakened condition, she managed to worship with her church family. She arrived at church with a pleasant attitude ready to thank the Lord for His blessings.
       As I remember Ruby Hart, my desire is to honor her life by having a portion of her devotion to Jesus. Whether it is representative of her financial discipline for giving to the Lord's work here on earth or her unselfish expending of herself for her family and church or the unwavering courage and faith she demonstrated in her final days, anyone exemplifying any of her qualities will live life to the fullest and impact others in the process.