What I love about that story is that Naomi was bitter when Ruth decided to follow her. In her raw grief and bitterness, Ruth still saw the light of God within her MIL and longed to remain with Him and come to know Him better through Naomi and her people.
I can also relate so much to leaving everything behind. I am "home" for Christmas in New Zealand and though it is such a sweet gift, my heart also aches being here, knowing I will be leaving again soon, back to the other side of the world (the Netherlands) and yet being so far away is also a conscious and willing surrender I made a few years ago to be there for my MIL, who was also there for me after my own Mum died. It is good to continually remember that decision I made with God.
One of my sisters is a Ruth too (I am holidaying with her and her family now)- and that always makes me think of my Mum and her love of the loyalty of Ruth. I miss her so much, even more being "home", but so thankful for my sister and her beautiful heart too (a piece of my Mum with me here).
Anna, whata beautiful reflection. Thank you for sharing. I agree that Ruth must’ve seen the goodness of God through Naomi and her family even with all their human flaws.
I am praying for the peace of Christ to be upon you this season, and for the Infant Jesus to dwell close to your heart through your travels.
I think this also says a lot of the character of her mother in law that Ruth would be so attached to her and be so loyal to her. I also wonder if Ruth knew she wanted so badly to be with her MIL that she knew the rest would come: faith, love for Naomi's people, etc. I think about when I first came back to faith and didn't know really how to start. I began volunteering at the church. Then joined a community group. And slowly but surely I continued into faith, through little faithful steps. It's a good place to pause and think about!
Agree, Emily!! I imagine too that Naomi’s family was so dear to Ruth, and their witness had been filling her heart with a longing for the God she did not yet know, but felt compelled to seek and find. ❤️
Thank you for drawing us closer to the silence of the infant in the stable throughout Advent. I wish your family a blessed Christmas season! ❤️🙏🏻
Merry Christmas Amy!! God bless you and your family. ❤️
What I love about that story is that Naomi was bitter when Ruth decided to follow her. In her raw grief and bitterness, Ruth still saw the light of God within her MIL and longed to remain with Him and come to know Him better through Naomi and her people.
I can also relate so much to leaving everything behind. I am "home" for Christmas in New Zealand and though it is such a sweet gift, my heart also aches being here, knowing I will be leaving again soon, back to the other side of the world (the Netherlands) and yet being so far away is also a conscious and willing surrender I made a few years ago to be there for my MIL, who was also there for me after my own Mum died. It is good to continually remember that decision I made with God.
One of my sisters is a Ruth too (I am holidaying with her and her family now)- and that always makes me think of my Mum and her love of the loyalty of Ruth. I miss her so much, even more being "home", but so thankful for my sister and her beautiful heart too (a piece of my Mum with me here).
Thank you for these reminders of God's presence.
Anna, whata beautiful reflection. Thank you for sharing. I agree that Ruth must’ve seen the goodness of God through Naomi and her family even with all their human flaws.
I am praying for the peace of Christ to be upon you this season, and for the Infant Jesus to dwell close to your heart through your travels.
I think this also says a lot of the character of her mother in law that Ruth would be so attached to her and be so loyal to her. I also wonder if Ruth knew she wanted so badly to be with her MIL that she knew the rest would come: faith, love for Naomi's people, etc. I think about when I first came back to faith and didn't know really how to start. I began volunteering at the church. Then joined a community group. And slowly but surely I continued into faith, through little faithful steps. It's a good place to pause and think about!
Agree, Emily!! I imagine too that Naomi’s family was so dear to Ruth, and their witness had been filling her heart with a longing for the God she did not yet know, but felt compelled to seek and find. ❤️