Ruth: a Proverbs 16:24 kind of friend

In honor of the first Monday of Professional Development, I want to tell a quick story about one of my dearest coworkers turned close friend.

Ruth & I have worked together for two years in a really small school district where we were both by far some of the youngest staff. We found comfort in our similar age, but became close when we connected on the most important thing to both of us — our faith. Our school district is full of challenges due to the incredibly high poverty rate. Ruth & I both felt called to this district & truly view our jobs as part of our mission & a way of serving God.

Ruth decided to leave our district to continue pursuing her dreams. & while I am so very happy for + proud of her, I can’t help but feel a little bit sad for myself.

Ruth not only made me a better counselor, but she made me a better person. I will always be thankful for our endless conversations — sometimes we vented, but we always ended the conversation with a deep breath & feeling better than when we started. She challenged me & always redirected me towards our Father. Ruth has such a gentle spirit. She is incredibly encouraging, a wonderful listener, & overall a fabulous person to walk alongside in faith.

Ruth is a Proverbs 16:24 kind of friend. A friend I will deeply miss getting to see everyday. I am incredibly thankful to have crossed paths with her & to have been impacted by her friendship. I hope to one day be as good of a Proverbs 16:24 kind of friend that Ruth was to me.

I got this print from Shea Lettering & absolutely love it — partially because it’s beautiful, but mostly because it reminds me of my dear friend, Ruth.