CHA- Ruth 1: 15-22

S: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth%201:%2015-22%20;&version=31;

O: When reading the first part of this passage I wonder to myself what type of wonderful person Naomi must have been to gain such favor with Ruth. I also picture this young woman (Ruth) who, aside from her kind spirit, is in need of mentorship and direction and has really opened up her life to Naomi... even before the tragedy's they are currently dealing with. I picture a young girl with many things yet to learn (esp about how God works) but willing to do whatever it takes to be obedient to do the right thing. The reason I say she has much to learn about how God works is because she makes a decision to follow her own plan of what SHE thinks is right even if it counters Gods plan. Ruth even makes a statement that she will oppose God if his plan does not agree with her own plan of what she thinks is correct. What I love about this is that we all have been young. No matter if we where good, bad, etc... we all needed to mature... and still need to mature. We all still don't fully understand Gods ways but we all have the opportunity to continue to try and try again to trust and be obedient to the ways of the Lord. Finishing off the first part of this passage there is a statement that reads "...Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her." This statement, for me, is like a foreshadowing of Naomi's hardship in dealing with her tragedy situation... almost like she NEEDS someone in her life to be there, walk with her, lean on... and I think she is grateful to have Ruth as her daughter-in-law.
The feel that the second part of this passage is a wonderful example of how we, as humans, can feel so lost, we can feel so much pain and hurting that it can bring out an almost selfish hatred and anger as we cope with the hardship and brokenness of life. Naomi self proclaims that she is bitter and like the Sadducee's who gave to the poor in public, Naomi also publicly thrashes out her pain and misery in Gods direction, almost as a way to try and comfort herself with the attention of those listening. This is a great example for me of how even a person of great leadership and mentoring can fall.. and need grace, mercy, and love.
I like how this passage ends with the statement that states the harvest season is at the beginning as Naomi and Ruth enter Bethlehem. I love double, triple meanings in words and phrases when they are placed in the correct spot at the correct time and I felt that this is one of those times. This statement foreshadows the great things that are abut to take place with these two ladies as well as a metaphor or.. a sort of parallel to Jesus' words about the harvest being ready for the plucking. This sentence can almost by itself, paint a picture of Bethlehem at this time.

A: This talks into my life here, growing in my life in Oregon. In my job, with my friends. It shows me that I have done well with the challenges I have faced with dealing with broken people in there extreme reactions to life's pain. It shows me that even my mentors in life are broken... and even though I had knowledge of this already... this passage brings this awareness to me in a more peaceful loving way that helps me to care for the people in my life who I have looked up to, and then been hurt by. This also reinforces to me that I have always had an awareness of God in my life as well as a respect for God, and a caring and understanding of God in a simple sense. Now, I have my personal relationship to work on with God, which I must say is going well.
What I think I can take away from this is that I can continue to let go and put my life in Gods hands, to continue to trust, listen, and obey.

P: God, I pray for help in letting go of the sin in my life and to be more and more like Jesus, trusting that you will provide what I need, and that is all I need. I pray for all the people that have touched my life...good and bad. I pray that they can find peace in their life... that they can find you dear God. I ask that if they look to me that they see you... they see you covering me, sheltering me, loving me.... running thru my veins. Thank you for your pursuit and your love dear God. Amen