Those who have never lived with nor known their grandparents have sometimes found that others will happily fill that void. Ted and Ruth Land did that for me and my siblings, and for many others as well. Ted died some fourteen years ago of a stroke, but Ruth died just this week of pneumonia, a month shy of her 97th birthday.

Ruth was more than just a close friend; she was a truly remarkable woman. Over the almost-century of her life, she lived in daily humility and repeatedly sought out the forgiveness of her brothers and sisters. For seven decades she devoted her energies to a church-community that she believed was the answer to the sin and suffering in the world.

The Lands’ fifty-three years of marriage were marked by a wonderful harmony, though they were never granted the joy of having their own children. Ruth rarely mentioned it, but the two of them carried it as a burden all their lives. Ted especially longed for children, and it took him many years to accept that they would remain childless. They did say, however, that the many opportunities they found to care for other people’s children over the years eased their need. (They once suggested to my older sister that she name one of her children after Ted, which she did, bringing both Ted and Ruth great joy.)

Our family first crossed paths with the Lands in 1955, when my father, a young physician from Philadelphia and a draft resister in need of a place to perform alternative service, found himself working alongside Ruth at the community’s hospital in Paraguay. Dad was eventually able to shoulder her medical responsibilities, allowing her and Ted to travel for a year to Germany, where she could update her medical knowledge and gain experience in psychiatric care.

That same year, the Lands moved back to their native England; and in the mid-1960s on to the United States. Ruth worked on and off as a doctor but found fulfillment in a wide range of other work and activities as well. She loved housework and was often found with a broom, mop, or dust rag in hand. Aside from maintaining beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, she and Ted raised chickens, and they were always proud of having built the henhouse themselves, using discarded boards and windows from a local dump. Their house was always open for friends and strangers. Anyone was welcome to stop by for tea, biscuits, and conversation on everything from nature to discipleship. I especially appreciated the Lands’ hospitality during my college years, when they took great interest in my biology studies. Later, when I was in medical school, Ruth was a mentor and advisor—her old-fashioned wisdom often at odds with prevailing philosophy, but invariably worth heeding.

Once Ted and Ruth visited me at my apartment. They went back home and promptly spoke to my pastor, concerned that I find a wife, and hinting strongly that one of his “eligible daughters” would be a good match.  Little did they know that a relationship was already developing, but when we were engaged the following year they took full credit—and went to their graves believing they had been successful in their matchmaking. At our wedding, now almost twenty-five years ago, we asked for their advice. They simply said, “Read your Bible more than you read the newspaper. You cannot change much in the world, but you can always draw closer to God.” We have not forgotten their words.

Just last week, Ruth came down with pneumonia, once called the “old man’s friend.” She knew it was her time to go. During her last days, she received scores of letters and cards from old friends who had heard she was getting weaker. Many thanked her for all she had done for them or for their parents; for how she had stood by them in illness or at death. For her part, she continued to witness to what was most important in her life. As she put it in one last letter to a nephew in England, “Our church has realized ever more clearly that the only thing Jesus’ disciples have to do is to show real love to others.” That love was the essence of her life.  

This article is composed of excerpts from a longer biography of Ruth Land (7 page .pdf ).

 

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Responses

I'm a bit lost for words at the moment.  This tribute to Ruth Land along with Anni: Letters and Writings, No Lasting Home, Homage to a Broken Man and my second reading of A Joyful Pilgrimage are wonderful testimonies which in turn are giving me such encouragement and long awaited clarity of faith. I think I may be on the right track after all!

Thank you Plough Publishing.

Helen Pritchard
Kent, England

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Ruth had all the attributes of a Saint. I love to study the Saints as they are great examples to follow. The way you discribed your relationship with her gave us all a good understanding of who she is/was. Most of all, you did it with such wonderful LOVE. You were so, so blessed to have had Ruth in your life. People/examples like Ruth give us all hope.

Warm regards,

Don
Dalton, MA