Thanking_God_for_Ruth_Rabenhorst.pdf

My first encounter with Ruth Rabenhorst was in the winter of 1978. Tom and I were home from seminary and were visiting his sister in the nurse-midwife unit at Hennepin County Medical Center. She had been placed on bed rest half way through her pregnancy with twins because of preterm labor.

I have a most vivid memory of standing next to her bed as one of the nurse-midwives came into the room, threw her arms around her and exclaimed, “Oh, Susie! I have been praying for you!” I was deeply moved as she compassionately poured out love, comfort, and confidence in God to this worried young mom.

Two years later, Tom and I began our ministry at Bethlehem, and to my delight I discovered that the wonderful woman I remembered was a longtime member of my new church. That began a 30-year friendship where I myself was the beneficiary of her amazing gifts of love and care. Ruth’s death on August 14, 2010, was a huge loss to me and countless others.

At her funeral there were four testimonies of her life: Ruth as “Auntie,” Ruth as Missionary, Ruth as Midwife, and Ruth as Caregiver. I was so honored to be asked by her family to speak about “Ruth as Caregiver.” What follows is what I shared on that day at her funeral.

As I prepared to speak about “Ruth Rabenhorst as Caregiver,” it proved to be one of the most daunting assignments I’d ever been given. There are two reasons for this: First, her entire life was one of giving care to others. How was I to capture this remarkable life in just a few minutes?

Even more significant, I myself benefited so much from her love and care over the course of these 30 years that I can hardly find words to talk about it. I should think every person in this room [at the funeral] would have stories to tell about Ruth’s amazing life, but I will try and honor her here for us all.

Ruth gave herself freely and wholeheartedly to others: Everyone her life intersected with benefited from her genuine kindness. She lived a simple, contented life that freed her up to serve others. She did so humbly and quietly, totally behind the scenes and out of the limelight, faithfully caring for literally thousands.

She quietly and faithfully used her expertise, wisdom, generosity, and her confidence in God to sooth, comfort, and help. She was seemingly tireless and selfless. Forget about making a fuss about her—she would have none of it! She didn’t do these things to get something back. All her caring was freely and cheerfully given.

The Nurse-Midwives at HCMC have a record of how many babies Ruth delivered over her career as a Certified Nurse-Midwife (1,747!), but only God knows the myriads of ways Ruth cared for others over her entire life.

Here are a few examples just to give you a picture of Ruth’s love: meals delivered, pregnant moms counseled and advised and reassured, people prayed for, shut-ins visited, children babysat, missionaries supported and counseled, lonely people cared for, vigils kept at death-beds, young people’s milestones celebrated, middle-of-the-night phone calls graciously received (as if she were just having a cup of tea and waiting for you to call!), grieving families comforted, neighborly kindnesses extended, the vulnerable advocated for, the convalescing stayed with overnight, birthdays remembered, extended family loved beyond measure (Oh, you blessed nieces and nephews! She loved you so much, and we were honored to share her joy in your achievements and milestones!) The list simply goes on and on!

The ripple effect of her caring changed lives. And then, when she herself became ill and needed care, I never heard a whiff of self-pity or complaint. She accepted the course of her life with such grace and dignity. It was truly remarkable.

Personally, I marvel that for the past 30 years I have been blessed to have her as my friend. I feel so rich! Ruth has seen me through the high points of my life (she was at the births of all five of my children) and low points when I was not sure I would survive.

I could never have imagined what a life-giving friend she would be, and I cannot adequately express today the deep, deep impact she has had on me. I often joked that I wanted to be like Ruth when I grew up, I so admired her. I can hardly imagine life without her. But she has left me a legacy—the legacy of a life lived for others.

Her life was a picture of what it means to keep the Great Commandment: “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” She was an example of all I hope to be. I will thank God for Ruth Rabenhorst for the rest of my life.

Julie Steller and her husband, Tom, are parents and grandparents. Tom Steller serves as Bethlehem’s Pastor for Leadership Development & Academic Dean of Bethlehem College and Seminary. Julie, in partnership with some of the wives of other pastors and professors, leads a ministry to encourage the wives of seminary apprentices.