Loss has been part of Ruth’s life since childhood with
the premature death of both her brother and sister, family break-up and
continual moves in Canada and England. The recent suicide of her Christian
cousin caused acute pain for all the family and Ruth’s song Dear John expresses
that grief.
“My nan said you can either let difficulties embitter you or bring
you nearer the Lord. What we do with them is what the Lord can do with
us,” says Ruth. “When I look back over my life it will be important to
be able to say ‘God is good’.”
Her poignant words, scribed during days of darkness over the past two
decades, are found on the 13-track CD. With changing harmony depths and
backing sounds, Ruth shares what she’s learnt through her own suffering:
“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted, to the ones who acknowledge their
need.”
She also uses her music during church team visits to a home for the
disabled. Positive response from secular listeners has been “thrilling”
explains Ruth who is busy writing more songs.
“Oh for the Bigness of Your Heart talks about the issues of the day,
the things that are happening in our world that cause us all to struggle,”
said Ruth. “We can carry an all-enveloping, consuming pain, but God is
in every single suffering situation - feeling and seeing it all. Whatever
people have done and despite how huge their problems, God’s heart is big
enough to cope,” she explains.
She has clung to the vision to publish her songs despite a series of
setbacks. The last track recording was hanging in |
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the balance when the gospel choir could not keep their
studio appointment. At short notice and against the odds, Ruth secured
the talents of a similar, Birmingham choir, just as there was a cancellation.
The cover was in jeopardy when the artist’s crisis overshadowed the
commission. But, with prayer, the initiated plan was unthwarted, and the
mother and child picture, depicted on cloth, was “perfectly inspired” a
few days later.
When the colour reproduction of the CD label was also hampered at the
studio, Ruth’s husband bought a special colour printer to tackle the job
himself. Despite no expertise, the job was completed without a hitch.
Timing has been all-important for Ruth’s CD. Plans to resurrect the
songs a few years ago failed. The recording studio in Essex disappeared
without trace and all Ruth’s previous vocal efforts were lost.
“For a while I felt totally despondent but God somehow strengthened
me through that,” she recalls.
On moving to Norwich three years ago she believes God encouraged her
to begin assembling her jottings for publication again. Despite no money,
two unexpected financial windfalls enabled her to begin to hasten the album.
Complete, she hopes it will speak to hurting people - with or without
a Christian faith. CDs (£11 incl p&p) and cassettes (£7.50
incl p&p) and a helpline for heart concerns is available from: Ruth
Morris, PO Box 678, Norwich NR1 1WL. CDs are also available from: CLC Bookshop,
68 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich. |
