Hey, friend

Ruth 1:18-22

Naomi saw a nagging determination in Ruth. Ruth was not going to leave her mother-in-law to fend for herself. You may recall, both women lost their husbands. Naomi lost two sons and her husband. One of her daughters-in-law already left for home after her husband died. Naomi's charge to them both was to leave because she had nothing to offer them. They were still young enough to build a new family. But Ruth was not having it. Once Naomi realized this, she "said no more to her." She accepted her companionship. Still, her heart was empty. The two women journeyed to Bethlehem, where Naomi was from. When they arrived there, the town recognized her. And yet they weren't sure they did. "Is this Naomi?" they asked. It probably wasn't her years away from Bethlehem that made her almost unrecognizable. Instead, her loss and deep grief had taken a toll on her. While her people were happy to see her, she had a different response. Naomi's name means  pleasant. But she told her people to now call her Mara, which means bitter. Remember the bitter waters from Exodus 15? While Naomi saw Ruth's determination, it hadn't changed her feelings much yet. I wonder how much she paid attention the "beginning of the barley harvest" (Ruth 1:22). Even if it meant anything to her, she would have no idea what it foreshadowed. The rest of Naomi's story centers around the attempt to connect Ruth to Boaz. That new marriage would redefine their family. It would even shape Jesus' family (Matthew 1:5). What I'm reflecting on today is Ruth's determination to stay with Naomi. She had every right to return to her home and rebuild her life. But she chose Naomi. She walked with her through the darkest time of her life. Both of their lives. Ruth's name comes from the root word for friend. As we see, her friendship would be a strong encouragement through Naomi's bitterness. By God's grace and mercy, may the same be said of our friendships as well. Stay blessed...john