Verse 10 : Ruby Ning? Nah... just plain ol' Ruey

Verse 10 : Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above the rubies.

I remember during my junior college days in Singapore, we had some sort of a inter-class competition going. I must have scribbled my name too quickly (or more likely it was my bad handwriting), that the "E" in Ruey ended up looking like a "B". My friends had such a laugh when a teacher called out for "Ruby Ning". Ewwww.... sounded like I was some cabaret dancer from one of those 80s styled dinner theatre joints.

Now looking at this verse, I can't even imagine myself being worthy enough to be associated with a ruby. This isn't false modesty at work. I don't even know the value of a precious gem such as a ruby.

Of course, "rubies" in this passage do not only refer to the precious red stones. It means precious gems. The rarity of a virtuous woman is as rare as these precious gems.

I don't know if that knowledge makes me feel better or worse. Afterall, if it's that rare, then I suppose I belong to the majority then? Guess even if I'm not a truly virtuous woman, I can't be that bad, because there are many other women like me.

Wrong.

God doesn't want mediocracy from us. He expects His elects to be present themselves faultless, so we should demand nothing less than the best from ourselves in our service to the Lord. Yes, that's what we should do... but can I? Do I dare start this drastic change and find the virtuous woman in me? In any case, what does it mean to be "virtuous".

I can't imagine myself being this demure, gentle, pie-baking, embroidery-sewing, slipper-fetching woman. Is this what being a virtuous woman is all about?

It's too late to ponder upon this right now... off to bed... maybe I'll dream of myself as an un-cut gem, being polished... and maybe, just maybe, a virtuous woman might emerge.....